Alveolo-capillary permeability and alveolar fluid accumulation in experimental models of surfactant dysfunction and lung injury
Kristina Nilsson, Joseph John & Per Wollmer

We studied alveolar fluid accumulation to and alveolo-capillary transfer of inhaled 99mTc-DTPA in experimental models of surfactant dysfunction and lung injury.

Surfactant dysfunction was induced in rabbits by aerosol administration of a detergent and lung injury by intravenous oleic acid. 99mTc-DTPA was given in aerosol and clearance was measured. Alveolar fluid accumulation was measured as alveolar recovery of intravenously infused 51Cr-EDTA.

The half-life of 99mTc-DTPA in the lungs was 7.1 ± 3.5 min in surfactant dysfunction, 22 ± 14 in lung injury and 115 ± 63 in the controls. Recovery of 51Cr-EDTA in lavage fluid was 0.3 ± 0.3 ml, 1.4 ± 1.0 ml and 8.6 ± 1.9 ml, respectively. All between groups differences were statistically significant.Impaired surfactant function may greatly increase the rate of solute absorption across the alveolo-capillary barrier, while there is only moderate alveolar accumulation of alveolar fluid. Lung injury induced by oleic acid, increases alveolo-capillary transfer of 99mTc-DTPA along with accumulation of large amounts of alveolar fluid.

Keywords: Aerosols, lung lavage, pulmonary gas exchange, pulmonary surfactant, rabbit, radionuclide imaging, respiratory mechanics

Applied Cardiopulmonary Pathophysiology 8: 3-7, 1999

Autorenanschrift:

Prof. Per Wollmer, M.D.
Dept. of Clinnical Physiology
Malmö University Hospital
SE-20502 Malmö
Sweden
Phone: +46 (0)40-331441
Fax: +46 (9)40-336620