The effects of hyperoxia exposure on lung function and pulmonary surfactant in a rat model of acute lung injury.

The objective of this study was to determine if prolonged hyperoxia exposure would deplete antioxidants, resulting in excessive oxidative stress that would lead to oxidation of pulmonary surfactant and contribute to lung dysfunction. Rats were exposed to either hyperoxic (> 95% O(2)) or normoxic (21% O(2)) oxygen concentrations for 48 or 60 hours. Pulmonary compliance, inflammatory cells, and total protein levels were measured as indicators of lung injury.