[Experimental pulmonary emphysema in rats. Inflammatory phenomena and progression of lung damage].

BACKGROUND

Although the hamster model of elastase induced emphysema is well characterized, the rat model has received less attention.

AIM

To evaluate the effect of a single intratracheal elastase dose on lung pathological changes of Sprague-Dawley rats.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Rats were injected with a single intratracheal elastase dose of 28 U/100 g body weight or saline and studied 7, 15, 30 and 365 days after injection.

RESULTS

Forty percent of rats died in the first 48 hours after injection, six were sacrificed at 7 days, 6 at 15 days, 7 at 30 days and 12 at 365 days. Progressive centroacinar emphysema was found from day 7 after elastase, with a persistent inflammatory reaction in the vicinity of emphysematous areas.

CONCLUSIONS

Present findings differ from the panacinar emphysema described in the hamster using a similar elastase dose.