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Functionality of body fluids largely depends on their rheological properties. On the other hand, the increased of exposure of the organism to environmental nanoparticles, i.e. desert dust or nanoparticles of carbon black resulting from fuel combustion in a diesel engine was observed. The research focused on investigating the impact of selected nanoparticles (Arizona Dust Nominal 0-3 micron (Powder Technology INC, USA), DEP (Diesel Exhaust Particles)) from the combustion of various diesel fuels on the rheological properties of artificial mucus.

In research artificial mucus (2% and 20% concentration of mucin) [Sosnowski et al., 2009] and nanoparticles' suspensions in artificial mucus (0.06 and 6 mg/ml) were prepared and their rheological properties (flow curve, viscosity dependence of shear stress, storage modulus and loss modulus) were studied. All rheological parameters were measured by an oscillating rheometer (MCR102, Anton Paar, Austria) at temperatures of 22 degrees C, 36.6 degrees C and 40 degrees C. The size of nanoparticles in water was determined by Malvern Zetasizer. Size distribution by number of nanoparticles are 654.3 nm (100%) for fuel 1, 565.9 nm (100%) for fuel 2, 131.1 nm and 363.7 nm (13.7%, 86.3% respectively) for Arizona Dust. The influence of nanoparticles on mucus rheological properties was observed. The high concentration of nanoparticles increases apparent viscosity while the impact of low concentration of nanoparticles on mucus rheology is negligible. On the other hand the presence of nanoparticles in mucus does not change mucus viscoelastic properties. The viscous properties dominate over elastic properties, both in clean mucus and in mucus with selected nanoparticles.