Comparison of starvation and elastase models of emphysema in the rat

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1984 · Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6387410

Harkema, J R; Mauderly, J L; Gregory, R E; Pickrell, J A

Starvation and elastase-induced changes in rat lung structure, biochemistry, and function were compared as models of human pulmonary emphysema. Ten-week-old male rats were instilled intratracheally with either porcine pancreatic elastase in saline (E) or with saline alone. A group of the saline-instilled rats were fed one third of their normal food intake until a 45% loss of body weight occurred (S). The remaining saline-instilled rats served as control animals (C). Post-treatment evaluations included in vivo respiratory function, lung histopathologic and morphometric analyses, lung tissue proteinolytic activity, and lung collagen. The E rats had in vivo respiratory function changes more similar to human emphysema than those of S rats. All lung volume subdivisions were decreased in S rats and increased in E rats. The volume-pressure curve of S rats was shifted to the right of the C curve, whereas that of E rats was shifted to the left. Forced expiratory flow rates of E rats were decreased at all lung volumes, but those of S rats were not. Both E and S rats had larger terminal air spaces and less alveolar surface area than did C rats. The S rats had more collagen per gram lung and higher proteinolytic activity than did C or E rats. These results show that, although starvation induces some changes characteristic of human emphysema, elastase-treatment provides a model more similar to the human disease. 44 references, 5 figures, 4 tables.

• Research Organization: Inhalation Toxicology Research Institute, Albuquerque, NM
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-76EV01013
• OSTI ID: 6387410
• Journal Information: Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Rev. Respir. Dis.; (United States) Vol. 129; ISSN ARRDA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550900* -- Pathology
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
ANIMALS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL MODELS
BODY
COLLAGEN
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DATA
DISEASES
DYNAMIC FUNCTION STUDIES
EMPHYSEMA
ENZYMES
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
FASTING
FOOD
HYDROLASES
IN VIVO
INFORMATION
LUNGS
MAMMALS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PATHOGENESIS
PEPTIDE HYDROLASES
PROTEINS
RATS
RESPIRATION
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISEASES
RODENTS
SCLEROPROTEINS
SERINE PROTEINASES
VERTEBRATES
WEIGHT