Cellular and biochemical indices of bronchoalveolar lavage for detection of lung injury following insult by airborne toxicants

Cellular and biochemical profiles of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) material after inhalation or intratracheal exposure to various airborne toxicants clearly reflect that BAL has the potential of being a useful tool for the rapid screening of lung injury. The cellular and biochemical responses not only predict inflammation, extent of tissue damage and toxic nature of the substances, but could also help in understanding the molecular mechanisms of pathogenicity. Depending upon the changes of BAL in animals acutely exposed to a pulmonary toxicant, future in-depth studies along with complete histopathological evaluations could be made. Also, the assessment of macromolecules of pharmacological importance in the lavage, especially the secretory products of alveolar macrophages and other lung cell types, could be very useful in predicting the toxic potential of various air-borne substances and could also serve as important indicators of developing chronic lung diseases and, therefore, necessitate further studies.