Beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation and adenoviral overexpression of superoxide dismutase prevent the hypoxia-mediated decrease in Na,K-ATPase and alveolar fluid reabsorption.

Hypoxia has been shown to cause lung edema and impair lung edema clearance. In the present study, we exposed isolated rat lungs to pO(2) = 40 mm Hg for 60 min or rats to 8% O(2) for up to 24 h and then measured changes in alveolar fluid reabsorption (AFR) and Na,K-ATPase function. Low levels of oxygen severely impaired AFR in both ex vivo and in vivo models.