Acute, subacute, and chronic histologic effects of simulated aspiration of a 0.7% sucralfate suspension in rats.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the acute (4-hr), subacute (7-day), and chronic (21-day) effects of simulated aspiration of a 0.7% sucralfate suspension in rats.

DESIGN

Prospective, multigroup trial in which rats were randomized to various simulated aspiration groups.

SETTING

Experimental animal laboratory.

SUBJECTS

Forty-five Sprague-Dawley rats.

INTERVENTIONS

Simulated aspiration was induced by single, direct, tracheal instillation of 2 mL/kg of either room air, sucralfate, or normal saline.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Lung histologic changes were assessed using a quantitative numerical scoring scale. There was an increase in bronchiolar inflammation in rats undergoing acute, simulated sucralfate aspiration compared with controls. There were no significant differences (p > .05) in any other features at any time interval studied (two-way analysis of variance).

CONCLUSIONS

Even though significant inflammatory airway lesions were produced in this acute model, these abnormalities resolved without evidence of subacute or chronic histologic progression. It remains to be determined if this pattern is unique to this specific experimental model or if it can be extrapolated to critically ill patients.