Mesothelioma and Environmental Exposure: A Newly Developed Animal Model for Fiber Exposure

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 2008 Sep;1138:73-6. [Link]

Varga C, Szendi K.

Department of Environmental Health, Institue of Public Health Medicine, University of Pecs, Pecs, Hungary.

Abstract

A novel animal model was developed to study the direct exposure of mesothelial cells to crocidolite and chrysotile asbestos fibers. Chemically pure and pretreated Union Internationale Centre le Cancer (UICC) samples were implanted into a peritoneal envelope (Kertai’s fold) of Wistar rats. Following the 12-month exposure, lack of mesothelioma induction was detected in all groups. Results suggest that the mechanism of mesothelioma formation is not a consequence of peritoneal physical exposure to the fibers.

Keywords: asbestos, mesothelioma, rat model, Kertai’s fold