Efficacy of aprotinin treatment on bilateral blunt chest trauma created in rabbits.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of aprotinin, on blood gasses, oxidant-antioxidant status, and lung histopathology in an experimental bilateral blunt chest trauma model.

Methods: Conducted at the Experimental Animal Laboratory of Meram Medical School at Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey, the study comprised 21 New Zealand female albino rabbits who were divided into three groups.Trauma was applied on the sham and aprotinin groups, which was administered intravenous Aprotinin 20.000 U/kg. Arterial blood samples were obtained from all rabbits at hours 0, 3, 24, and 96. At hour 96 after trauma, all rabbits were sacrificed using the decapitation method, and then blood and lung tissue samples were obtained. Blood nitric oxide, malondialdehyde and blood gas measurements were made. Histopathological changes in the lung were examined with a light microscope.

Results: While no positive effect of aprotinin was observed on nitric oxide malondialdehyde and partial pressure of carbon dioxide values, it was seen to have an increasing effect on partial oxygen pressure level. Aprotinin had a partial effect on lung histopathology.

Conclusion: Aprotinin was determined to have a positive effect on PO2 levels. We could not find any positive effects especially on alveolar haemorrhage.