Type Of Acute Lung Injury Research Articles

Protective effects of intravenous immunoglobulin and antimicrobial agents on acute pneumonia in leukopenic mice.

Multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes the type of acute lung injury that is strongly associated with bacteremia, sepsis, and mortality, especially under immunocompromised conditions. Although administration of immunoglobulin solution is an applicable immunotherapy in immunocompromised patients, efficacy of immunoglobulin administration against multi-drug resistant P.aeruginosa pneumonia has not been well evaluated. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of prophylactic administration of immunoglobulin solution (IVIG) in comparison with that of other types of antimicrobial agents, such as anti-PcrV IgG, piperacillin/tazobactam, or colistin in an immunocompromised mouse model of P.aeruginosa pneumonia. Colistin was the most effective agent for preventing acute lung injury, bacteremia, cytokinemia, and sepsis. Among the four tested antimicrobial agents, after colistin, anti-PcrV IgG and IVIG were the most effective at protecting mice from mortality. Piperacillin/tazobactam did not prevent acute lung injury or bacteremia; rather, it worsened lung histology. The data suggest that using an agent for which a positive result in an invitro susceptibility test has been obtained may not always prevent acute lung injury in a leukopenic host infected with P.aeruginosa. Clinicians should consider the possibility of discrepancies between invitro and invivo tests because the absence of invitro bactericidal activity in an antimicrobial agent is not always a reliable predictor of its lack of ability to eradicate bacteria invivo, even in immunocompromised hosts. Based on our findings, the potential protective effects of IVIG against the acute lung injury induced by P.aeruginosa should be reevaluated.

Update on acute respiratory distress syndrome�s pathology. Recent insights into in vivo alveolar regeneration

Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) is a type of acute lung injury characterized on histology by a pattern of Diffuse Alveolar Damage(DAD). Since patients who survive their critical illness generally recover a normal respiratory function, ARDS is regarded as a remarkable example of in vivo alveolar regeneration and mice with chemical or viral-induced ARDS represent a useful experimental model for studying these processes. Recent studies opened new insights into the mechanisms of alveolar regeneration, partly challenging the traditional hypothesis that identifies alveolar type II cells as the progenitor of the alveolar epithelium. Particularly, we proposed Krt14 as a robust marker of alveolar regeneration and repair, since its expression in the lung parenchyma is only found in pathological conditions during pneumocyte proliferation after severe damage. A better understanding of the processes that regulate in vivo alveolar regeneration would make it possible to revolutionize the therapeutic approach to patients with respiratory chronic disease, paving the way to the so called “regenerative lung medicine”.

Single high-dose dexamethasone and sodium salicylate failed to attenuate phosgene-induced acute lung injury in rats

Life-threatening acute lung injury potentially occurs following high-level accidental exposures to phosgene gas. This situation was mirrored in rats exposed nose-only at 900–1000mg phosgene/m3min. At this exposure level, previous studies on rats demonstrated sustained reflexively induced cardiopulmonary dysfunction and evidence of vascular fluid redistribution. These findings challenge the currently applied treatment strategies to mitigate the presumed non-cardiogenic lung edema by steroidal or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. This study investigates whether high doses of curatively administered dexamethasone (DX; 100mg/kg bw, ip) and sodium salicylate (SS; 200mg/kg bw, ip), alone or in combination, show efficacy to mitigate the phosgene-induced lung edema. Exhaled nitric oxide (eNO), animal morbidity and mortality, and increased lung weights one day postexposure served as endpoints of lung injury and drug efficacy. When applying this dosing regimen, SS showed minimal (if any) efficacy while DX, alone or in combination with SS, substantially aggravated the emerging lung edema (lung weights) with 40% mortality. The degree of acute lung injury (ALI) was mirrored by increased eNO. Its direct relationship to ALI-severity was evidenced by decreased eNO following NO-synthetase inhibitor administration (aminoguanidine-aerosol) and associated mitigation of ALI. All non-treated phosgene-exposed as well as treated but non-phosgene-exposed rats survived. This experimental evidence suggests that high-dose corticoid treatments may aggravate the pulmonary toxicity of phosgene. Similarly, this outcome supports the supposition that non-inflammatory, cardiogenic and/or neurogenic factors play a role in this type of acute lung injury.

Extracellular hemin crisis triggers acute chest syndrome in sickle mice

The prevention and treatment of acute chest syndrome (ACS) is a major clinical concern in sickle cell disease (SCD). However, the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of ACS remains elusive. We tested the hypothesis that the hemolysis byproduct hemin elicits events that induce ACS. Infusion of a low dose of hemin caused acute intravascular hemolysis and autoamplification of extracellular hemin in transgenic sickle mice, but not in sickle-trait littermates. The sickle mice developed multiple symptoms typical of ACS and succumbed rapidly. Pharmacologic inhibition of TLR4 and hemopexin replacement therapy prior to hemin infusion protected sickle mice from developing ACS. Replication of the ACS-like phenotype in nonsickle mice revealed that the mechanism of lung injury due to extracellular hemin is independent of SCD. Using genetic and bone marrow chimeric tools, we confirmed that TLR4 expressed in nonhematopoietic vascular tissues mediated this lethal type of acute lung injury. Respiratory failure was averted after the onset of ACS-like symptoms in sickle mice by treating them with recombinant hemopexin. Our results reveal a mechanism that helps to explain the pathogenesis of ACS, and we provide proof of principle for therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat this condition in mice.

Novel Insights Into Phosgene-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Rats: Role of Dysregulated Cardiopulmonary Reflexes and Nitric Oxide in Lung Edema Pathogenesis

Phosgene gas is a lower respiratory tract irritant. As such, it stimulates nociceptive vagal C-fiber-related reflexes in a dose-rate and concentration × exposure duration (C × t)-dependent manner. In rats, this reflex is characterized by extended apnea time periods, bradycardia, and hypothermia. Although inhalation exposures at nonlethal C × t products show rapid reversibility of reflexively induced changes in respiratory patterns, lethal C × t products seem to cause prolonged stimulation after discontinued exposure to phosgene. This observation has been taken as indirect evidence that phosgene-induced lethal lung edema is likely to be associated with a dysfunctional neurogenic control of cardiopulmonary and microvascular physiology. In order to verify this hypothesis, data from respiratory function measurements during and after the inhalation exposure to phosgene gas were compared with time-course measurements of cardiac function over 20 h post-phosgene exposure. These data were complemented by time-course analyses of nitric oxide (NO(e)) and carbon dioxide in exhaled breath, including time-dependent changes of extravasated protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and hemoglobin in blood. The nitric oxidase synthetase inhibitors L-NAME and L-NIL were used to further elucidate the role of NO(e) in this type of acute lung injury and whether its analysis can serve as an early biomarker of pulmonary injury. Collectively, the sequence and time course of pathological events in phosgene-induced lung edema appear to suggest that overstimulated, continued sensorimotor vagal reflexes affect cardiopulmonary hemodynamics. A continued parasympathetic tone appears to be involved in this etiopathology.

Divergent Effects of Activated Neutrophils on Inflammation, Kupffer Cell/Splenocyte Activation, and Lung Injury Following Blunt Chest Trauma

Polymorphonuclear granulocytes (PMNs) have been attributed a primarily deleterious role in the pathogenesis of acute lung injury (ALI). However, evidence exists that PMNs might also act beneficially in certain types of ALI. In this regard, we investigated the role of activated neutrophils in the pathophysiology of lung contusion-induced ALI. We used the model of blunt chest trauma accompanied by PMN-depletion in male C3H/HeN mice. Animals received 25 μg/g body weight PMN-depleting antibody Gr-1 intravenously 48 h before trauma. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and lung tissue interleukin 6 (IL-6) were similarly elevated in PMN-depleted and control animals after trauma, whereas macrophage inflammatory protein 2 and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 in BAL and lungs, IL-10 in BAL, and lung keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC) were even further increased in the absence of PMNs. Plasma IL-6 and KC were also increased in response to the insult and even further in the absence of PMNs. Chest trauma induced an enhanced release of IL-6, tumor necrosis factor α, macrophage inflammatory protein 2, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1, and IL-10 from isolated KU, which was blunted in the absence of PMNs. In the presence of PMNs, BAL protein was further increased at 30 h when compared with the 3-h time point, which was not the case in the absence of PMNs. Taken together, in response to lung trauma, activated neutrophils control inflammation including mediator release from distant immune cells but simultaneously mediate pulmonary tissue damage. Thus, keeping in mind potential inflammatory adverse effects, modulation of neutrophil activation or trafficking might be a reasonable therapeutic approach in chest trauma-induced lung injury.

Inhaled nitric oxide aggravates phosgene model of acute lung injury

The principal acute mode of action of inhaled phosgene gas is related to an increase alveolar fluid exudation under pathologic conditions. This paper considers some aspects in modeling phosgene-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in an acute rat bioassay and whether edema formation can be modulated by inhaled nitric oxide (iNO). Protein analysis in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid is amongst the most sensitive method to quantify the phosgene-induced non-cardiogenic, pulmonary high-permeability edema following acute inhalation exposure. Maximum concentrations in BAL-protein occur within one day postexposure, typically within a latency period up to about 15 h as a consequence of an increasingly exhausted lymphatic drainage. An almost similar sensitivity was given by the functional endpoint ‘enhanced pause (Penh)’ when measured by non-invasive whole-body barometric plethysmography over a time period of 20 h. The magnitude of edema formation follows a concentration x time (C1xt) relationship, although animal model-specific deviations may occur at very short exposure durations (1–20 min) due to a rodent-specific, reflexively induced transient decreased ventilation. This has to be accounted for when simulating accidental exposure scenarios to study the mechanisms involved in pharmacological modulation of fluid transport in this type of ALI. Therefore, a special focus has to be given to the dosimetry of inhaled phosgene, otherwise any change in effect magnitude, as a result of under-dosing of phosgene, may be misconceived as promising therapy. This study demonstrates that accidental exposures can be modeled best in rats by exposure durations of at least 20–30 min. Lung function measurements (Penh) show that pathophysiological effects appear to occur concomitant with the exposure to phosgene; however, its full clinical manifestation requires a gross imbalance of pulmonary fluid clearance. When applying this concept, post-phosgene exposure iNO at 1.5 ppm × 6 h or 15 pm × 20 h led to an aggravation of edema formation while L-NAME, a non-selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, led to attenuation. Ethyl pyruvate, given either prophylactically or therapeutically, was ineffective.

Types of Acute Lung Injury and Fat Embolism

Objective: to enhance the efficiency of diagnosing acute lung injury (ALI) and fat embolism (FE). Subjects and methods: Forty-seven patients with severe concomitant trauma (SCT), divided into three groups by the severity of shock and injury, were examined. The parameters of the scales rating ALI severity, lipid metabolism, hemostatic system, and hemodynamic monitoring were analyzed. Results. Three types of acute lung injury were identified in FE depending on clinical laboratory parameters: the patients having a shockogenicity index of less than 14 scores had significantly activated coagulation hemostasis and suppressed fibrinolytic system. Those with a shockogenicity index of 15 to 22 scores developed hemostatic disorders as activated coagulation hemostasis throughout the study and considerably activated fibrinolytic system, the levels of atherogenic very low density lipoproteins (LVDL) and triglycerides increased. The patients with a shockogenicity index of more than 23 scores developed hemostatic disorders, such as pronounced activation of the blood coagulation system and suppression of the fibrinolytic system. The manifestation of ALI increased with the elevated concentrations of LVDL and triglycerides, hypercoagulation by hemo-viscosimetric parameters and reduced platelets, lower oxygenation index, and decreased oxygen consumption. Conclusion. A scheme of development of the types of ALI and FE has been proposed. Key words: severe injury, acute lung injury, fat embolism, types of diagnosis.

Measurement of extravascular lung water in patients with pulmonary edema

measurement of extravascular lung water has been a topic of major interest for more than two decades ([1][1], [5][2], [19][3]). In the recent article by Effros et al. ([2][4]), they provide a review of current and past efforts to measure extravascular lung water with thermal and osmotic dilution

Antiinflammatory effect of inhaled nitric oxide on acute lung injury

Despite no reported survival benefit by inhaled nitric oxide (NO) among patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) until now, NO inhalation is still deemed acceptable as a rescue therapy for ARDS patients with refractory hypoxemia to various therapeutic measures. However, it is unclear whether inhaled NO exerts either detrimental or beneficial effects on the pathogenesis of ARDS. Laboratory studies suggest that inhaled NO might reduce some types of acute lung injury (ALI). By contrast, NO and nitrite could interact with neutrophil myeloperoxidase or high oxygen in the alveoli to stimulate oxidative reactions during inflammation. Recent experimental data suggest that inhaled NO might attenuate endotoxin-induced ALI. Considering the diverse role of NO as an important endogenous regulatory molecule on both proinflammatory and antiinflammatory processes, the effects of early and continued therapy with low dose of inhaled NO on ALT should be determined.

Transient hemodynamic effects of recruitment maneuvers in three experimental models of acute lung injury*

Elevated lung volumes and increased pleural pressures associated with recruitment maneuvers (RM) may adversely affect pulmonary vascular resistance and cardiac filling or performance. We investigated the hemodynamic consequences of three RM techniques after inducing acute lung injury. Prospective, randomized, controlled experimental study. Hospital research laboratory. Thirteen anesthetized, mechanically ventilated pigs. We induced three types of acute lung injury: oleic acid injury (n = 4); ventilator-induced lung injury (n = 4); and pneumonia (n = 5). All three models were designed to initiate a similar severity of oxygenation impairment. RM methods tested were sustained inflation, incremental positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) with a limited peak pressure, and pressure-controlled ventilation with increased PEEP and a fixed driving pressure. From a baseline PEEP of 8 cm H2O, all interventions were tested using post-RM PEEP levels of 8, 12, and 16 cm H2O. Cardiac output by thermodilution and systemic and pulmonary artery pressures were measured frequently during the RM and for 15 mins after its completion. During the RM, cardiac output decreased to a greater extent in the pneumonia model (0.49 of baseline cardiac output) than in the oleic acid injury (0.67 of baseline) or ventilator-induced lung injury (0.79 of baseline) models. Cardiac output recovered to the baseline value by 5 mins post-RM in oleic acid injury and ventilator-induced lung injury models. However, cardiac output remained decreased 15 mins post-RM in the pneumonia model. There were no differences in hemodynamic parameters among RM methods in oleic acid injury and ventilator-induced lung injury models. In the pneumonia model, however, cardiac output decreased to a greater extent during the RM with sustained inflation (to 0.33 of baseline cardiac output) compared with pressure-controlled ventilation (to 0.68 of baseline). We conclude that RM transiently but profoundly depressed cardiac output in three models of acute lung injury. The results imply that a lung recruiting maneuver should be used with caution, especially when using sustained inflation in the setting of pneumonia.

Increased alveolar adenosine levels downregulate pulmonary edema clearance during hyperoxic acute lung injury

PURPOSE: Alveolar active Na+ transport is impaired during some types of acute lung injury. Pulmonary edema increases alveolar active Na+ transport via a beta-adrenergic receptor (betaAR) dependent pathway which increases cellular ATP consumption and cAMP production, which provide substrate for adenosine production. Extracellular adenosine may regulate cellular energy consumption by inhibiting adenylyl cyclase activity. We hypothesized that adenosine levels are elevated during lung injury and may be contribute to downregulation of alveolar active Na+ transport.

Pentoxifylline Markedly Reduces Pulmonary Neutrophil Sequestration

The size of the sequestered pulmonary neutrophil (polymorphonuclear leukocyte [PMN]) pool is increased in various types of acute lung injury. Proteases and superoxide radicals released by activated PMNs are putative mediators of lung injury. Pentoxifylline (PTX), a methylxanthine derivative, increases PMN deformability. Since decreased deformability increases leukocyte (WBC) sequestration by the lung, we hypothesized that PTX would reduce pulmonary WBC and PMN sequestration.

Postexposure Treatment with Aminophylline Protects Against Phosgene-Induced Acute Lung Injury

Pretreatment with aminophylline has been shown to protect against various types of acute lung injury. Mechanisms responsible for protection are multifactorial but are thought to involve upregulation of cAMP. While previous studies focused on pretreatment, the present investigation examined post-treatment in rabbits following exposure to a lethal dose of the oxidant gas phosgene. Rabbits, 2-3 kg, were exposed to a cumulative dose of phosgene to attain a c x t exposure effect of 1500 ppm-min. Lungs were isolated in situ and perfused for 90-100 min after exposure with Krebs-Henseleit buffer at 40 mL/min. Pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa), tracheal pressure (Pt), and lung weight gain (lwg) were measured continuously. Leukotrienes C4/D4/E4 were measured in the perfusate every 20 min during perfusion. At the immediate conclusion of the experiment, lung tissue was frozen in liquid N2 and analyzed for reduced GSH, GSSG, cAMP, and lipid peroxidation (TBARS). Post-treatment with aminophylline 80-90 min after exposure significantly lowered Ppa, Pt, and lwg. Aminophylline significantly reduced TBARS and perfusate LTC4/D4/E4, and prevented phosgene-induced decreases in lung tissue cAMP. These data suggest that protective mechanisms observed with aminophylline involve decreased LTC4/D4/E4-mediated pulmonary capillary permeability and attenuated lipid peroxidation. Direct antipermeability effects of cAMP on cellular contraction may also be important in protection against phosgene-induced lung injury.

Superoxide Dismutase Gene Expression in the Endotoxin-Treated Rat Lung

Background It is well known that oxygen free radicals (OFR) play a vital role in the various type of acute lung injury. Among various antioxidant defense mechanisms, the superoxide dismutases (SOD) are thought to be the first line of antioxidant defense by catalyzing the dismutation of two superoxide radicals to yield hydrogen peroxide and oxygen. Eukaryotic cells contain two types of intracellular SOD : cytosolic, dimeric copper/zinc- containing enzyme (CuZnSOD) and mitochondrial, tetrameric manganese-containing enzyme (MnSOD). The purpose of this study is to evaluate the time-dependent gene expression of MnSOD and CuZnSOD in the endotoxin-treated rats, and to compare with the manifestations of LPS-induced acute lung injury in rats. Methods Total RNA from rat lung was isolated using single step phenol extraction 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 18, 24 hours after E. coli endotoxin injection (n=3, respectively). RNA was separated by formaldehyde-containing 1.2% agarose gels elctrophoresis, transblotted, baked, prehybridized, and hybridized with 32P-labeled cDNA probes for rat MnSOD and CuZnSOD, which were kindly donated by Dr. Ho (Duke University, Durham, NC, USA). The probes were labeled by nick translation. Blots were washed and autoradiography were quantitated using laser densitometry. Equivalent amounts of total RNA/gel were assessed by monitoring 285 and 185 rRNA. Results Endotoxin caused a rise in steady-state MnSOD mRNA levels by 4h with peak mRNA accumulation by 6h. Continued MnSOD mRNA expression was observed at 12h. CuZnSOD mRNA expression was observed from 1h to 24h with peak levels by 18h. Conclusion These results suggest that SOD palys an important defensive role in the endotoxin-induced acute lung injury in rats.

Evidence for Tumor Necrosis Factor-induced Pulmonary Microvascular Injury After Intestinal Ischemia—Reperfusion Injury

Acute lung injury characterized by increased microvascular permeability is one feature of multiple-organ system failure and the adult respiratory distress syndrome. Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury has been linked to this type of acute lung injury. The purpose of these experiments was to examine the pathogenic mediators that link the two processes, with particular emphasis on the roles of endotoxin and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha). Previously described characteristics of the acute lung injury in this rat model of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion include pulmonary neutrophil sequestration, depletion of lung tissue ATP, alveolar endothelial cell disruption, and increased microvascular permeability. Plasma levels of TNF in the systemic circulation of sham-operated animals and those with intestinal ischemic injury less than 60 minutes in duration were very low or undetectable. Intestinal ischemia for 120 minutes was associated with TNF elevation to 1.19 +/- 0.50 U/mL. Reperfusion for periods of 15 and 30 minutes generated 5- to 10-fold increases in circulating TNF levels (6.61 +/- 3.11 U/mL, p greater than 0.05 and 10.41 +/- 5.41 U/mL, p = 0.004 compared to sham); however this increase in circulating TNF was transient and largely cleared within 60 minutes after initiating reperfusion. Portal vein endotoxin levels were found to increase significantly before the appearance of TNF in systemic plasma, suggesting that gut-derived endotoxin may induce TNF release from hepatic macrophages into the systemic circulation. Anti-TNF antibody attenuated the increase in pulmonary microvascular permeability in this preparation but did not prevent pulmonary neutrophil sequestration. These observations suggest that endotoxin and TNF have pathogenic roles in this acute lung injury, but that mechanisms of adherence of neutrophils to endothelial cells independent of TNF may be involved. The accumulation of neutrophils in the lung but the prevention of a vascular permeability increase in the presence of antibody to TNF may imply an in vivo role for TNF in the process of neutrophil activation. These studies provide additional evidence of the importance of the endogenous inflammatory mediators in the development of systemic injury in response to local tissue injury.

Immunofluorescence in Group B Streptococcal Infection and Idiopathic Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Immunofluorescence was performed on lung tissue obtained at necropsy from 18 newborn infants, including five with group B streptococcal (GBS) sepsis, seven with idiopathic respiratory distress syndrome (IRDS), and six control infants who died from other causes. Deposits of C3, IgG, and fibrin were found within hyaline membranes of infants who died with GBS sepsis or IRDS within 48 hours after birth. In some cases C4, factor B, and IgM were also observed. In five infants with IRDS who died more than five days after birth, immunofluorescent lung findings were less common and less intense. Hyaline membranes, attributed to mechanical ventilators and oxygen therapy in two infants who did not have GBS infection or IRDS, were negative for complement and immunoglobulins although fibrin was detected in one specimen. These data suggest that immunologic processes may contribute to the pathogenesis of certain types of acute lung injury, particularly in infants who die from GBS infection or IRDS during the early neonatal period.