Short-term ozone exposure causes lung problems in older mice shown by multiple biological analyses

Acute exposure to ozone (1.0 ppm for 6 hours) in aged mice resulted in ventilatory dysfunction and lung tissue damage.

• Ozone exposure caused transient respiratory issues and lasting changes in lung structure, including alveolar destruction and inflammation.
• Metabolic changes were observed in lung amino acid production and serum lipid metabolism, affecting processes like cellular recycling and cell death.
• Alterations in gut microbiota were noted, specifically a reduction in certain bacteria, which correlated with lung damage and metabolic changes.
• Ozone exposure activated a specific signaling pathway (HIF-1α), which is linked to lipid damage and a type of cell death known as ferroptosis.
• These findings suggest that interactions between metabolism, gut health, and signaling pathways may play a role in lung injury caused by ozone in older adults.

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