The effect of an aerosol of treignac mineral water concentrated by inverse osmosis in vitro on normal bronchial cells and in vivo on normal rabbit lungs

Objectives: Treignac natural mineral water has a unique filmogenic property. The objective of this study was to test its anti-inflammatory activity on bronchial cells in vitro and its toxicity on rabbit lungs in vivo. Material and methods: Treignac® mineral water concentrated by reverse osmosis (European patent) and a Volvic® mineral water control were prepared by the same process. The aerosol generator used for patients in pneumology produces standardized particles (<3 µ). Normal bronchial cells cultured in microplates were submitted to the aerosol and stimulated by poly (I:C). IL6 (interleukin 6), TNFα (Tumor Necrosis Factor α) and IL8 (Interleukin 8) were then measured in the supernatants by ELISA. Adult rabbits were exposed to an aerosol of concentrated Treignac® water in a closed cage for 10 min. Clinical signs were noted and histopathological analysis were performed. Results: The first series of experiments suggested that concentrated Treignac® water inhibited cytokine release by bronchial cells compared to both saline and concentrated Volvic mineral waterr. The second series of experiments confirmed the effect of concentrated Treignac® water on IL6 release. As compared to saline, rabbits exposed to the aerosols presented no clinical signs and the histopathological analysis was negative. Conclusions: These experiments demonstrated that concentrated Treignac water exhibited anti-inflammatory properties without causing any toxic effect on rabbit lungs, despite its hypo-osmolarity.