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Title: Experimental pulmonary emphysema induced in the rat by intratracheally administered elastase: morphogenesis

Journal Article · · Environ. Res.; (United States)

Emphysema was produced experimentally in rats by administration of porcine pancreatic elastase at dose levels of 75, 100, 125, and 150 units elastase activity/100 g body wt. All doses studied were equally effective in producing emphysema. Dose levels of over 75 units activity/100 g offered no advantage in terms of degree or severity of emphysema produced; however, such doses exacerbated hemorrhage and edema, resulting in relatively high postinstillation mortality. Lesion morphogenesis at all doses tested paralleled those described in this and in other species by other investigators. The 75-unit activity produced a quantifiable degree of emphysema which was relatively constant among animals. Results suggest that because of group differences in susceptibility to elastase (or variations in batches of elastase), dose-range studies should be performed on each new group of animals. 5 references, 8 figures.

Research Organization:
Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA
DOE Contract Number:
AC06-76RL01830
OSTI ID:
5940932
Journal Information:
Environ. Res.; (United States), Vol. 33
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English