Figure 1
Subchronic DE Exposure Elevates TNFα in the Brain: Midbrain Vulnerability. Male Fischer 344 rats were exposed to either filtered air (control, 0 μg PM/m3 DE, n = 8), 35 μg PM/m3 DE (Low, n = 8), 100 μg PM/m3 DE (Mid Low, n = 8), 311 μg PM/m3 DE (Mid High, n = 8), or 992 μg PM/m3 DE (High, n = 8) for 6 months. TNFα protein levels from the (A) Midbrain, (B) Olfactory Bulbs, (C) Temporal Lobe, (D) Frontal Lobe, and (E) Cerebellum were measured by ELISA. An * indicates significant difference (p < 0.05) from control animals. While all components of the brain, with the exception of the cerebellum, showed an elevated TNFα response to DE at some concentration of DE, the midbrain was the most sensitive, producing a significant increase from control at only 100 μg PM/m3. = DE.