The effect of Eucalyptol on SOD and IL-10 expression in mice exposed to Methyl methacrylate vapor

Methyl methacrylate (MMA) is still widely used in medical, dental and industry. Inhalation is the important MMA occupational exposure route. Previous studies have shown that MMA may cause a wide range of adverse health effects such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and increase the risk of asthma, nasal symptoms and phlegm. Eucalyptol, an active ingredient containing antioxidants has been shown to be able to inhibit the production of ROS and increase IL-10 anti-inflammatory cytokines. This study was done to determine the effect of eucalyptol on superoxide dismutase (SOD) and interleukin (IL)-10 expression in the airways of mice exposed to methyl methacrylate (MMA). This true experimental laboratory study involved the use of 30 mice as research subjects which were divided into five groups: a normal control group (K0), a positive control group (K1) and three treatment groups that were administered with 5mg, 10mg and 15mg doses of eucalyptol (P1, P2 and P3). The subjects were placed in a glass cage containing 150ppm MMA vapor nebulized with eucalyptol vapor for 120 minutes. The subjects were subsequently terminated and their lung tissue removed. Observation of the expression of SOD and IL-10 was carried out by immunohistochemical examination. MMA exposure significantly increased SOD (p <0.05). Administration of eucalyptol 5mg, 10mg and 15mg can reduce SOD, so that it was not different from K0 group. Only at a dose of 10mg and 15mg, eucalyptol was able to increase the expression of IL-10. It is concluded that Eucalyptol can reduce the expression of SOD and increase IL-10 expression in airway of mice exposed to MMA vapor.