Physical properties and biochemistry of lung surfactant following vagotomy.

Surface tension and the biochemical composition of lung washings were studied in rats 24 h after bilateral cervical vagotomy. A significant decrease in body weight, rate of breathing, stability and hysteresis shape indexes and hysteresis loop areas were noted. The gamma max, gamma min, gamma stat, indexes of compressibility, the number of cells and the protein content of washings were significantly increased.

[Surface tension in rat lungs after quartz dust inhalation (author's transl)].

The influence of quartz dust (1000mg/m3) on surface tension in rat lungs was investigated. The exposure-times were 5, 15 and 30 hours. The animals were killed, 1, 7, 14, 28 and 90 days after quartz dust exposure and the surface tension was measured in a Wilhelmy balance.