Ultrastructure of rabbit tracheal epithelium after the administration of Hexabrix--a hexaiodated contrast agent for tracheobronchography.

The ultrastructure of the tracheal epithelium after the application of 1 ml of Hexabrix (a hexaiodated contrast agent for tracheobronchography) into the airways was studied. Severely altered pseudostratified columnar epithelium was found in the trachea. Eighty-one +/- 5% of the goblet cells had been stimulated to discharged mucus.

Effect of bronchoalveolar lavage on the ultrastructure of the tracheal epithelium in rabbits.

Serious damage to the tracheal epithelium due to bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was recorded. Immediately after BAL 99 +/- 2% of goblet cells were exhausted and degenerated. Their regeneration began 24 h after BAL resulting in hyperplasia of goblet cells with the formation of endoepithelial mucous glands.

Regeneration of changes produced in rabbit tracheal epithelium by saline lavage of the airways.

The authors studied the course of the repair of changes induced in the rabbit tracheal epithelium by saline lavage of the airways. The tracheal epithelium was examined 2, 24, 48 and 72 hours after treatment. Saline lavage stimulated the goblet cells to instantaneous discharge of their secretion.

[Reaction of the respiratory tract epithelium to bronchoalveolar lavage].

The authors investigated experimentally the reaction of the airway epithelium to the bronchoalveolar lavage. The epithelium of the rabbit trachea was examined immediately after rinsing with saline and 2, 24, 48 and 72 hours after rinsing. Lavage causes excessive stimulation of goblet cells.

Ultrastructure of rabbit tracheal epithelium after saline lavage of the airways.

In experiment the effect of saline lavage on the ultrastructure of the tracheal epithelium was investigated. Immediately after this procedure the trachea was lined with markedly altered pseudostratified columnar epithelium with remnants of the ciliary border. The intercellular spaces were markedly dilated, but the apical junctional complexes were left intact.