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Biomedical subjects

A S Slutsky

Publications and source records attributed to A S Slutsky.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Optimal inflation volume for hypothermic preservation of rat lungs.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies have suggested that preservation of donor lungs with inflation provides better pulmonary function after transplantation, but hyperinflation of pulmonary grafts during storage increases reperfusion pulmonary edema. To elucidate the optimal inflation volume during the preservation period, and the possible role of barotrauma in lung injury after atelectatic storage, we examined the effects of inflation volume and reinflation protocols in hypothermically preserved rat lungs. METHODS: Adult rat lung blocks were preserved at 4 degrees C for 18 hours at various levels of inflation. Static pulmonary compliance was measured and compared before and after preservation. The hemodynamics and gas exchange function of optimally inflated lungs were then compared with lungs preserved atelectatically in a rat paracorporeal reperfusion model. RESULTS: We found that the optimal level of inflation for preservation is 50% of total lung capacity (TLC). Lungs stored atelectatically or inflated to 25% of TLC showed deterioration of postpreservation lung compliance, whereas air leaks were observed in most of the lungs preserved with inflation to 75% or 100% of TLC. The hemodynamics and gas exchange function in lungs preserved with inflation at 50% of TLC were significantly better than that of atelectatically preserved lungs. A gentle reexpansion of atelectatically stored lungs did not prevent the deterioration of pulmonary function. CONCLUSION: Donor lungs should be preserved at an optimal inflation volume, and mechanisms other than barotrauma after atelectatic storage may be responsible for postpreservation and postreperfusion lung injury.

Animals↗

Prevention of rapid reperfusion-induced lung injury with prostaglandin E1 during the initial period of reperfusion.

We have found that the instantaneous restoration of blood flow causes acute dysfunction and massive edema in rat lungs after 4 hours of room temperature ischemia. This is associated with an early increase in pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa) and can be prevented by a stepwise increase in flow rate during the first 10 minutes of reperfusion. The objectives of this study were to determine whether rapid reperfusion causes lung injury after hypothermic preservation, and whether this injury can be attenuated by a short-course of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1). Rat lungs were flushed preserved with low-potassium dextran solution for 12 hours at 4 degrees C and randomly divided into three groups: (1) control (no PGE1); (2) PGE1 only in the flush solution; and (3) PGE1 in both flush solution and blood perfusate during the first 10 minutes of reperfusion. Postpreservation pulmonary function was assessed in an isolated rat lung reperfusion model developed previously. We found that rapid initiation of reperfusion led to significant pulmonary dysfunction, which was attenuated by a short-course of PGE1 in the blood perfusate. The addition of PGE1 to the flush solution alone did not have such an effect. Administration of PGE1 to the blood perfusate during the first 10 minutes resulted in significant lower Ppa and airway pressure and better gas exchange. There was a positive correlation between the peak Ppa during the first 10 minutes of reperfusion and the final shunt fraction. The physical forces generated by the rapid initiation of blood reperfusion appear to induce severe injury. The first 10 minutes of reperfusion seem to be a transition phase in which mechanical factors play an important role relating to ultimate post reperfusion lung function. A short course of PGE1 may be a useful maneuver to prevent rapid reperfusion-induced lung injury.

Airway Resistance↗

Lymphocytic airway infiltration as a precursor to fibrous obliteration in a rat model of bronchiolitis obliterans.

BACKGROUND: Bronchiolitis obliterans is the most significant complication adversely affecting prolonged survival of lung allograft recipients. The evolution from the initial insult to the final pathologic entity is largely unknown. The aim of this study was to characterize the evolution of transplant-induced fibrous airway obliteration in a rat tracheal transplant model of bronchiolitis obliterans. METHODS: Tracheal segments were transplanted from Brown Norway rats to Brown Norway rats (isografts) or to Lewis rats (allografts). Grafts were implanted into a subcutaneous pouch and an abdominal omental wrap. They were harvested at 14 different time points (from 1 day to 1 year after transplantation) and assessed histologically. RESULTS: The fibrous airway obliteration developed only in allografts showing a triphasic time course: an initial ischemic phase (observed in both isografts and allografts) was followed by a marked lymphocytic infiltrative phase with complete epithelial loss (observed only in allografts, P<0.01), and finally by an obliterative phase with fibrous obliteration of the allograft airway lumen (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This animal model shows a distinct and reproducible triphasic time course in the development of obliterative airway lesions in allografts. It confirms that the mechanism leading to airway obliteration is immune mediated as only allografts showed this lesion and that lymphocytic infiltration is a precursor of the lesion in this model. The insights into the different phases demonstrated may lead to novel approaches regarding the type and timing of therapeutic interventions.

Animals↗

Injurious ventilatory strategies increase cytokines and c-fos m-RNA expression in an isolated rat lung model.

We examined the effect of ventilation strategy on lung inflammatory mediators in the presence and absence of a preexisting inflammatory stimulus. 55 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized to either intravenous saline or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). After 50 min of spontaneous respiration, the lungs were excised and randomized to 2 h of ventilation with one of four strategies: (a) control (C), tidal volume (Vt) = 7 cc/kg, positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP) = 3 cm H2O; (b) moderate volume, high PEEP (MVHP), Vt = 15 cc/kg; PEEP = 10 cm H2O; (c) moderate volume, zero PEEP (MVZP), Vt = 15 cc/kg, PEEP = 0; or (d) high volume, zero PEEP (HVZP), Vt = 40 cc/kg, PEEP = 0. Ventilation with zero PEEP (MVZP, HVZP) resulted in significant reductions in lung compliance. Lung lavage levels of TNFalpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10, MIP-2, and IFNgamma were measured by ELISA. Zero PEEP in combination with high volume ventilation (HVZP) had a synergistic effect on cytokine levels (e.g., 56-fold increase of TNFalpha versus controls). Identical end inspiratory lung distention with PEEP (MVHP) resulted in only a three-fold increase in TNFalpha, whereas MVZP produced a six-fold increase in lavage TNFalpha. Northern blot analysis revealed a similar pattern (C, MVHP < MVZP < HVZP) for induction of c-fos mRNA. These data support the concept that mechanical ventilation can have a significant influence on the inflammatory/anti-inflammatory milieu of the lung, and thus may play a role in initiating or propagating a local, and possibly systemic inflammatory response.

Animals↗

Heat stress increases survival rates in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated rats.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the hypothesis that heat stress applied after the administration of bacterial endotoxin is protective. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, laboratory study. SETTING: University research laboratory. SUBJECTS: One hundred eleven adult male Sprague-Dawley rats (weight range 250 to 400 g). INTERVENTIONS: Production of endotoxemia by the administration of a bacterial endotoxin and exposure to heat stress by heating animals in a neonatal incubator until their rectal temperatures reached 105.8 degrees F (41 degrees C). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The rats (n = 111) were anesthetized and were injected with 15 mg/kg of Escherichia coli endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) intravenously to produce septic shock. Immediately thereafter, a set of 50 rats were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: a) LPS-treated (control); or b) LPS-treated and heated to 105.8 degrees F (41 degrees C). The animals were then observed for the development of fever, and survival rates were monitored for 72 hrs. In another set of 40 animals, the same experimental protocol was used to determine plasma cytokine concentrations in heated and nonheated groups. Blood samples were obtained at 0, 2, 4, or 6 hrs after LPS injection for tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin (IL)-1 beta detection. In a third set of animals, the same experimental protocol was applied to nine animals for the detection of heat-shock proteins of 72-kilodalton molecular weight. LPS injection in the control group did not produce fever. Heat stress increased the abundance of heat-shock proteins of 72-kilodalton molecular weight in the rats' lungs (analysis of variance, p = .016). Twelve hours after the initiation of sepsis, the survival rates of the control group injected with LPS alone and the group heated to 105.8 degrees F (41 degrees C) were 48% and 80%, respectively (p = .039). The peak plasma IL-1 beta concentrations occurring at 2 hrs after LPS injection were significantly reduced in rats heated to 105.8 degrees F (41 degrees C) when compared with nonheated rats (p = .003). CONCLUSION: We conclude that heat stress applied after the initiation of endotoxemia can provide protection against an otherwise lethal stimulus and that the mechanism of protection may be related to the attenuation of plasma IL-1 beta concentrations.

Animals↗

Marked flow-dependence of exhaled nitric oxide using a new technique to exclude nasal nitric oxide.

Exhaled nitric oxide (NO) may aid in monitoring pulmonary disease. The single-breath NO profile (subjects with nose clip) was described as a NO peak followed by a plateau (NO(PLAT)). Published exhaled NO values vary greatly, possibly due to contamination with nasal NO and differing respiratory maneuvers. We developed a technique to measure pulmonary NO, without nasal NO, by having the subject maintain a positive expiratory pressure (ensuring vellum closure), and we examined the variation in NO(PLAT) over a range of expiratory flows (4.2 to 1,550 ml/s). NO(PLAT) values rose almost 35-fold (3.2 +/- 1.4 ppb to 110.5 +/- 54.8 ppb) with decreasing flow, described by NO(PLAT) = 208.6795 x (flow rate)(-0.5995). However, NO excretion showed an almost 11-fold rise as flow increased. In summary, we present a simple technique for measuring exhaled NO without contamination by nasal NO. There is a marked flow dependence of exhaled NO concentration and excretion. Exhaled pulmonary NO is best measured at very low flow rates to amplify the signal and must be related to the expiratory flow employed.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Genetics of asthma: the University of Toronto Program. University of Toronto Genetics of Asthma Research Group.

In 1991, we initiated a study to identify susceptibility gene(s) predisposing individuals to the development of asthma. Our strategy was to focus on the collection of inbred populations because (1) they are likely to exhibit greater homogeneity than outbred populations, potentially important in multigenic diseases, (2) there may be fewer genes explaining the asthma diathesis in families with a "founder effect," (3) it is possible to follow the pattern of inheritance more closely, and (4) environmental factors are likely to be more uniform in geographically isolated poulations. We have identified, and in some cases collected data on inbred and/or isolated populations in Brazil, China, Easter Island, Israel, and Tristan da Cunha. We have completed a genome-wide scan on samples from Tristan da Cunha based on a coverage of approximately 20 cM between markers. In addition, we have collected hundreds of outbred individuals from Canada; these data have been helpful in narrowing a linked region based on the transmission/disequilibrium test.

Adult↗

Impairment of lung and chest wall mechanics in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome: role of abdominal distension.

Recent data have suggested that the elastic properties of the chest wall (CW) may be compromised in patients with ARDS because of abdominal distension (4). We partitioned CW and lung (L) mechanics, assessed the role of abdominal distension, and verified whether the underlying disease responsible for ARDS affects the impairment of respiratory mechanics. Volume-pressure (V-P) curves (interrupter technique) were assessed in nine patients with surgical ARDS and nine patients with medical ARDS. Relative to nine patients undergoing heart surgery, V-P curves of the respiratory system (rs) and L of patients with surgical or medical ARDS showed a rightward displacement. V-P curves of the CW and the L showed an upward concavity in patients with medical ARDS and a downward concavity in patients with surgical ARDS. Although the CW and the abdomen (abd) V-P curves in patients with medical ARDS were similar to those obtained in patients undergoing heart surgery, they showed a rightward shift and a downward flattening in patients with surgical ARDS. In five of these patients, a reduction in static end-inspiratory pressure of the abd (69+/-4%), rs (30+/-3%), CW (41+/-2%), and L (27+/-3%) was observed after abdominal decompression for acute bleeding. Abdominal decompression therefore caused an upward and leftward shift of the V-P curves of the respiratory system, chest wall, lung, and abdomen. In conclusion we showed that impairment of the elastic properties of the respiratory system may vary with the underlying disease responsible for ARDS. The flattening of the V-P curve at high pressures observed in some patients with ARDS may be due to an increase in chest wall elastance related to abdominal distension. These observations have implications for the assessment and ventilatory management of patients with ARDS.

Abdomen↗

Defining the asthma phenotype for the purpose of genetic analysis.

In 1991, we began a project to search for the genetic basis of asthma using linkage analysis. We encountered discord between a history of asthma and physiological measures of variable airflow obstruction and sought to examine the frequency of such occurrences and the issues surrounding phenotyping of patients with asthma. We reviewed our experience in ascertaining the asthma phenotype in 50 nuclear families comprised of 219 subjects (110 male, 109 female). Three respiratory physicians reviewed data including a questionnaire, skin testing, objective measures of variable airflow obstruction [increase in FEV1 > or = 15% following salbutamol 400 micrograms of PC20 (methacholine) < or = 4 mg/ml], and serum for IgE. Thirty-eight percent of subjects had both objective and questionnaire data consistent with asthma (++) whereas 39% had negative objective and negative questionnaire findings (--) (i.e., no asthma). A positive history but negative objective findings occurred in 7% of subjects, 2% had a negative history and positive objective findings. Retesting was requested in 13% of subjects; review of historical data was requested in 1% (i.e., childhood asthma but no present asthma). Retesting was requested for either (a) positive history, negative objective if symptoms were seasonal or the subject was using medications known to affect the challenge study, (b) viral infection within 6 weeks of a positive methacholine study, or (c) technically inadequate study. Overall, after the initial assessment, all members of only 22 families could be catagorized as either ++ or --. The diagnostic group requested at least 1 retest in 19 families and a review of historical records in 2 families. We conclude that discordance between self-reported questionnaire data and laboratory measures of variable airflow limitation is common and will increase the numbers of asthmatic subjects in studies that seek to determine the genetic basis of asthma.

Adolescent↗

Major histocompatibility complex expression and lung ischemia-reperfusion in rats.

BACKGROUND: Clinical studies in kidney and liver transplantation have suggested that poor early function is associated with increased graft loss due to rejection. Ischemia-reperfusion injury may contribute to rejection by enhancing graft immunogenicity. METHODS: A rat model of unilateral in situ pulmonary ischemia-reperfusion was used to examine class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigen expression. The effects of deflation during ischemia (which augments subsequent injury) as well as concurrent allostimulation were also examined. Major histocompatibility complex expression was examined 9 days after ischemia using the binding of radiolabeled anti-class II antibody and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Four hours of ischemia in full inflation or 2 hours of atelectatic ischemia both led to severe lung injury. Ischemia-reperfusion injury led to greater MHC expression in the ischemic lung compared with the nonischemic side. Allostimulation with mononuclear cells did not increase MHC expression in the nonischemic lung but did enhance the increase found in the ischemic lung. This was not due to a graft-versus-host response because allostimulation with F1 cells also led to a significant increase. CONCLUSIONS: Severe ischemic lung injury leads to significant increases in MHC expression, detectable after 9 days of reperfusion. Deflation during ischemia, which augments lung injury, also augments increased MHC expression. Concurrent allostimulation with foreign mononuclear cells appears to potentiate increased MHC expression after ischemia. Increases in graft MHC expression may enhance immunogenicity and increase the rejection response.

Animals↗

Analysis of the T cell receptor Vgamma region gene repertoire in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and peripheral blood of atopic asthmatics and healthy subjects.

We analyzed the T cell receptor (TCR) Vgamma repertoire in BAL and peripheral blood (PBL) of three mild stable atopic asthmatics and two non-asthmatic controls. We used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to establish the expression of the four Vgamma families, and to detect oligo or monoclonal expansion of gammadelta+ T cells, we resolved the PCR projects on denaturing and non-denaturing gels to find the extent of junctional diversity arising from differences in the lengths of the V(D)J junctions. We also subcloned and sequenced the PCR products to characterize fully the sequence diversity. BAL T lymphocytes from two asthmatic patients (treated with inhaled steroids) expressed only VgammaII and, in one of them, VgammaIIJgamma usage was restricted to JgammaP and JgammaP1 gene segments, contrasting with the VgammaJgamma repertoire found in his respective PBL. Analyses in denaturing and non-denaturing gels showed that the BAL VgammaIIJgammaP and VgammaIIJgammaP1 PCR products resolved into few bands, suggesting deletions at the juctions due to oligoclonal expansion. BAL T lymphocytes from the third asthmatic (not receiving inhaled steroids) expressed VgammaI, II and III, and the sequences of the in-frame TCR transcripts from this asthmatic and one healthy volunteer who expressed a similar BAL VgammaTCR repertoire showed clonal expansion of T cells expressing all three Vgamma families. Our analyses showed that much of the GammaDeltaT cell population found in BAL fluid of humans derives from clonally expanded T cells.

Adult↗

Use of a hypoxic lung as a deoxygenator to provide extended assessment of pulmonary function in rats.

Isolated perfused lung systems are commonly used to assess lung function in experimental studies. Assessment of hemodynamics and gas-exchange function in these systems is limited by the availability of venous blood. This study describes and validates a rat lung perfusion circuit in which a double-lung block ventilated with a hypoxic gas mixture [inspired O2 fraction (FIO2) 0.04; inspired CO2 fraction 0.08; deoxygenator (Deoxy) block] is used to provide blood with blood gases that are similar to mixed venous values to perfuse a study lung (FIO2 0.21; left lung only). This allows extended assessment of hemodynamics and gas exchange. Fifty adult male Wistar rats (300-400 g) were used as double-lung donors. Twenty-five perfusions (of both Deoxy and study lungs) were performed in four protocols (groups 1-5; n = 5). In protocol 1 (group 1), we tested whether exposure to room air affects the gas composition of the blood in the system. We found that the gas composition of the venous reservoir blood was identical to that of the blood entering the study block. In protocol 2, the effect of perfusion time and perfusion flow rate on the stability of the system was assessed. Lungs were perfused at 4 and 12 ml/min (groups 2 and 3, respectively), and the procedure was discontinued if edema or a marked decline in hemodynamics or gas-exchange function was observed. Pulmonary function was excellent and remained stable for 3 (at 12 ml/min) and 5 h (at 4 ml/min). In protocol 3, we examined whether hypoxic ventilation in the Deoxy lungs affects the stability of the system. Despite the low FIO2 used in the Deoxy lungs, the mean pulmonary arterial pressure-to-blood flow relationships in the study and Deoxy lungs were similar. Finally, in protocol 4, perfusion of a damaged study lung did not impair the function of the system. We conclude that this model permits reliable assessment of pulmonary function in rats under controlled ventilation and perfusion conditions. The use of a Deoxy double-lung block simplifies the perfusion apparatus and eliminates the main cause of instability of other systems that use an anesthetized host animal to provide venous blood.

Animals↗

Asthma on Tristan da Cunha: looking for the genetic link. The University of Toronto Genetics of Asthma Research Group.

Although asthma has a significant heritable component, the mode of inheritance remains controversial because of the complexity of the disease and the influence of environmental factors. Isolated, inbred populations serve to reduce variability, thus increasing the probability of gene localization. We studied the inbred population of the remote island of Tristan da Cunha to document asthma prevalence for the purpose of genetic linkage analysis. Medical histories and skin atopy were determined on 282 islanders, representing 97% of the population, and airway responsiveness was measured in 254; 226 by methacholine challenge (tidal breathing method) and 28 by bronchodilator response (400 micrograms salbutamol aerosol). Blood samples were collected from 275 islanders. Participants ranged in age from 3 to 94 yr. Asthma was defined as increased airway responsiveness (AR+: PC20 < 4 mg/ml or > or = 15% increase in FEV1 postbronchodilator) combined with a positive history (Hx+). Fifty-seven percent of the islanders had at least partial evidence of asthma (Hx+ and/or AR+) and 23% had a definitive diagnosis of asthma (AR+ with Hx+). Overall 47% of the population were atopic, atopy was proportionally higher in asthmatics (74%) than nonasthmatics (32%; p < 0.01). Analysis of the methacholine dose-response curves demonstrated that asthmatics were significantly (p < 0.01) more responsive than those with AR+ only, and nonasthmatics (AR-, Hx-) were more responsive than laboratory control subjects (p < 0.05), suggesting that these islanders may also carry an airway hyperresponsiveness gene. A frequency plot of the percent fall in FEV1 for all Hx- subjects compared with control data suggests a bimodal distribution consistent with a major gene mechanism for airway responsiveness. Genealogy mapping revealed that the islanders are direct descendants of the 15 original settlers, and historical records suggest at least two founders may have been asthmatic. The data confirm previous reports of a high asthma prevalence on Tristan and support the postulate that this prevalence is a result of gene enrichment occurring in isolated populations by virtue of extensive inbreeding and a probable founder effect.

Adolescent↗

Effects of the stress response in septic rats and LPS-stimulated alveolar macrophages: evidence for TNF-alpha posttranslational regulation.

We have previously demonstrated that induction of the stress response, by heat stress or sodium arsenite, administered 18 h before initiation of sepsis in rats, significantly decreased mortality and lung injury. As a possible mechanism underlying this effect, we hypothesized that the induction of the stress response, prior to bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) stimulation, would cause a decrease in synthesis and/or release of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), making the animals more resistant to sepsis. Rats exposed to Salmonella typhosa LPS demonstrated a rise in plasma TNF-alpha. In contrast, rats exposed to heat stress or to sodium arsenite 18 h prior to LPS had significantly lower levels of plasma TNF-alpha. To examine the mechanisms by which the stress response mediates this decrease, we studied cultured alveolar macrophages. Similar to in vivo studies, TNF released into supernatants of alveolar macrophages treated with LPS was significantly higher than from cells exposed to the stress response prior to LPS. The decrease in TNF-alpha protein release was not accompanied by a similar decrease in TNF-alpha mRNA levels or by a decrease in cell-associated TNF-alpha, suggesting possible posttranslational regulation of TNF-alpha. To determine whether the decrease in TNF-alpha release was due to binding and sequestration by heat shock proteins (HSP), TNF-alpha was purified by immunoprecipitation. Under these conditions, TNF-alpha and HSP72kDa coprecipitated from cells that had received stress treatment prior to LPS. These data implicate HSP in posttranslational control of TNF-alpha release in LPS-stimulated alveolar macrophages exposed to the stress response.

Animals↗

Effect of hypotension preceding death on the function of lungs from donors with nonbeating hearts.

BACKGROUND: A shortage of suitable brain-dead donors continues to severely limit lung transplantation. Use of donors with nonbeating hearts has been suggested as a solution. Lungs are unique, in that aerobic metabolism can continue in the absence of blood circulation because oxygen is present in airways and alveoli. Animal studies have shown reasonable cadaveric graft function up to several hours after sudden death by drug administration. However, hemodynamic instability before death may worsen lung function through activation and pulmonary sequestration of neutrophils and release of inflammatory mediators. Because many potential cadaveric donors experience hypotension before death, this study was undertaken to assess the effect of hypotensive shock on cadaveric lung viability. METHODS: A rat isolated lung reperfusion model was used to assess pulmonary function over 3 hours of reperfusion or until gross pulmonary edema developed. Twenty-five rats were randomly allocated to the following study groups, which were based on status before lung harvest: (1) control: no interventions; (2) hypotensive: 1 hour of hypotension by exsanguination to a mean blood pressure of 30 to 40 mm Hg; (3) cadaver: death by cervical dislocation followed by 3 hours of in situ lung ischemia; (4) hypotensive + 3 hours cadaver: 1 hour of hemorrhagic shock, followed by death and 3 hours of in situ ischemia; (5) hypotensive + 2 hours cadaver: similar to group 4, except the in situ ischemia was abbreviated to 2 hours. RESULTS: No significant differences were found among group 1, 2, or 3 lungs with regard to wet to dry weight ratios, gas exchange, and pulmonary arterial or airway pressures. However, all group 4 lungs became grossly hemorrhagic and developed severe pulmonary edema within 10 minutes of reperfusion. Group 5 lungs fared only marginally better, with two of five lungs tolerating 3 hours of reperfusion. CONCLUSIONS: A period of hypotension before death severely impairs cadaveric lung viability.

Animals↗