Inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibition attenuates physical stress-induced lung hyper-responsiveness and oxidative stress in animals with lung inflammation.

Mechanisms involved in stress-induced asthmatic alterations have been poorly characterised. We assessed whether inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) inhibition modulates the stress-amplified lung parenchyma responsiveness, oxidative stress and extracellular matrix remodelling that was previously increased by chronic lung inflammation. Guinea pigs were subjected to 7 exposures to ovalbumin (1-5 mg/ml) or saline (OVA and SAL groups) over 4 weeks.

Pulmonary responses to nutritional restriction and hyperoxia in premature rabbits.

Objectives: To analyze the effects of nutritional restriction and hyperoxia on lung weight and pulmonary morphometry in premature rabbits during the first 11 days of life.

Methods: New Zealand White rabbits were delivered by C-section at 28 days' gestational age and randomized into four groups: control diet and room air, control diet and hyperoxia (> or = 95% O2), nutritional restriction and room air and nutritional restriction and hyperoxia (> or = 95% O2). Nutritional restriction was achieved by reducing all nutrients by 30% in comparison with the control diet.