The effects of Eucheuma cottonii on alveolar macrophages and malondialdehyde levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in chronically particulate matter 10 coal dust-exposed rats

OBJECTIVE(S): To investigate the effect of Eucheuma cottonii on alveolar macrophages (AM) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) in particulate matter 10 (PM(10)) coal dust-exposed rats. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten groups, including a non exposed group and groups exposed to coal dust at doses of 6.25 (CD(6.25)), 12.5 (CD(12.5)), or 25 mg/m(3) (CD(25)) an hour daily for 6 months with or without supplementation of ethanolic extract of E. cottonii at doses of 150 (EC(150)) or 300 mg/kg BW (EC(300)). The number of macrophages was determined using a light microscope. MDA levels were measured by TBARS assay. RESULTS: EC(150) insignificantly (P > 0.05) reduces the AM in CD groups compared to non treatment groups. EC(150) and EC(300) significantly (P < 0.05) decreased MDA levels in CD(12.5) and CD(25) groups relative to non treatment groups. CONCLUSION: E. cottonii attenuated oxidative stress in chronic exposure of PM(10) coal dust.