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4036937 
Journal Article 
Neutrophilic Respiratory Tract Inflammation and Peripheral Blood Neutrophilia after Grain Sorghum Dust Extract Challenge 
Von Essen, SG; O'Neill, DP; Mcgranaghan, S; Olenchock, SA; Rennard, SI 
1995 
Yes 
Chest
ISSN: 0012-3692
EISSN: 1931-3543 
NIOSH/00230125 
108 
5 
1425-1433 
English 
7587452 
WOS:A1995TD70800047 
The acute effects of grain dust inhalation were investigated in 30 normal volunteers. Subjects were exposed to 24 milliliters of a filter sterilized grain sorghum dust extract (GSDE) or a control solution by inhalation. Some subjects received 20 milligrams of prednisone, three times a day for 2 days before the GSDE inhalation challenge. Spirometry and carbon-monoxide diffusing capacity (Dco) were performed at up to 11 hours after challenge. At 24 hours after challenge, bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and nasal lavage were performed. Peripheral blood neutrophil chemotaxis was measured up to 24 hours after challenge. GSDE inhalation produced visible evidence of inflammation in the respiratory tract. Increased numbers of neutrophils were recovered by BAL. Peripheral blood neutrophils were increased in number and displayed increased chemotaxis. Prednisone treatment partially blocked these effects but did not affect the number of neutrophils in the lower respiratory tract. Significant decreases in pulmonary function test values were seen at 30 minutes after challenge. Subjects exposed to GSDE reported more symptoms than those in the control solution group. The authors conclude that GSDE challenge causes respiratory tract inflammation and peripheral blood neutrophilia.