Respiratory changes in a murine model of spontaneous systemic lupus erythematosus.

The pathophysiology of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been very well described in many organs. However, the relation between extracellular matrix changes and lung dynamic mechanical behaviour deserves elucidation. To that end, pulmonary mechanics, lung morphometry and the amount of collagen and elastic fibres in the alveolar septa were analysed in mice with SLE [NZB/W (New Zealand Black/White) F1] and non-diseased NZW mice (control).

Evaluation of respiratory mechanics and lung histology in a model of atelectasis.

To develop a reproducible model of atelectasis, 15 mechanically ventilated Wistar rats were wrapped around the thorax/abdomen with a sphygmomanometer. The cuff was inflated to transpulmonary pressures (PL) of -4 cmH2O (group A) and -8 cmH2O (group B) for 5 sec. Group C was not compressed.

Effect of corticosteroid on lung parenchyma remodeling at an early phase of acute lung injury.

In vivo (lung resistive and viscoelastic pressures and static elastance) and in vitro (tissue resistance, elastance, and hysteresivity) respiratory mechanics were analyzed 1 and 30 days after saline (control) or paraquat (P [10 and 25 mg/kg intraperitoneally]) injection in rats. Additionally, P10 and P25 were treated with methylprednisolone (2 mg/kg intravenously) at 1 or 6 hours after acute lung injury (ALI) induction. Collagen and elastic fibers were quantified.