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Biomedical subjects

R Pariente

Publications and source records attributed to R Pariente.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Acute diaphragmatic changes induced by starvation in rats.

The aim of this study was to assess in an in vivo rat model the effects of total starvation for 4 d on diaphragmatic strength and endurance. Twenty-four rats were divided equally into a control (CTL) group and a starved (ST) group. Diaphragmatic strength was assessed and endurance index was calculated. Starvation induced a parallel decrease in body weight and diaphragmatic weight amounting to 18% of the control group. Diaphragmatic contractility was impaired in the ST group. This reduction was associated with a significant reduction in transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) for all the frequencies of stimulation, except 20 Hz, in the ST animals as compared with the CTL animals; however, no significant difference in Pdi expressed per gram of diaphragmatic mass was observed. Endurance index was 0.63 +/- 0.01 1.4 +/- 0.02 in the ST and CTL animals (p less than 0.01), respectively. We conclude that a 4-d total fast produces a reduction in diaphragmatic weight, which is associated with a decreased diaphragmatic strength and reduced endurance capacity.

Animals

Effects of isoflurane on contractile properties of diaphragm.

Isoflurane has been shown to depress skeletal muscle force in vitro, but data are not available regarding the effects of isoflurane on diaphragmatic muscle function in vivo. To answer this question, 15 rats anesthetized with pentobarbital and mechanically ventilated were studied. They were divided into three groups of five animals each, according to the administered concentration of isoflurane. Diaphragmatic function was assessed by measuring the transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) generated during bilateral supramaximal phrenic nerve stimulation at 0.5 Hz, 20 Hz, 50 Hz, and 100 Hz under quasi-isometric conditions. After a control measurement (C), isoflurane was administered at a constant concentration (0.5, 1, or 1.5 MAC) and Pdi measurements were repeated after 30 min of isoflurane exposure (T1) and 30 min after discontinuing isoflurane (T2). In the group breathing 1.5 MAC isoflurane, the time constant of diaphragmatic relaxation (tau) and integrated electrical activity of the diaphragm (Edi) were also assessed. The Pdi amplitude generated by single twitch (0.5 Hz) was unchanged at the three isoflurane concentrations. A significant increase in Pdi at 20 Hz was observed at T1, which returned to control after 30 min recovery (T2). No change in Pdi during 50 Hz stimulation was noted during 0.5 and 1 MAC isoflurane exposure, whereas it was reduced at T1 during 1.5 MAC. For 100 Hz stimulation, a significant decrease in Pdi was noted for all groups at T1, which returned toward control values at T2. Edi was markedly reduced for 50 and 100 Hz stimulation, but this reduction was also transient, since Edi returned toward control values at T2.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Viscoelastic behavior of lung and chest wall in dogs determined by flow interruption.

Pulmonary and chest wall mechanics were studied in six anesthetized paralyzed dogs, by use of the technique of rapid airway occlusion during constant flow inflation. Analysis of the pressure changes after flow interruption allowed us to partition the overall resistance of the lung (Rl) and chest wall (Rw) and total respiratory system (Rrs) into two components, one (Rinit) reflecting in the lung airway resistance (Raw), the other (delta R) reflecting primarily the viscoelastic properties of the pulmonary and chest wall tissues. The effects of varying inspiratory flow and inflation volume were interpreted in terms of frequency dependence of resistance, by using a spring-and-dashpot model previously proposed and substantiated by Bates et al. (Proc. 9th Annu. Conf. IEEE Med. Biol. Soc., 1987, vol. 3, p. 1802-1803). We observed that 1) Raw and Rw,init were nearly equal and small relative to Rl and Rw (both were unaffected by flow); 2) Rrs,init decreased slightly with increasing volume; 3) both delta Rl and delta Rw decreased with increasing flow and increased with increasing lung volume. These changes were manifestations of frequency dependence of delta R, as it is predicted by the model; 4) Rrs, Rl, and Rw followed the same trends as delta R. These results corroborate data previously reported in the literature with the use of different techniques to measure airways and pulmonary tissue resistances and confirm that the use of Rl to assess bronchial reactivity is problematic. The interrupter techniques provides a convenient way to obtain Raw values, as well as analogs of lung and chest wall tissue resistances in intact dogs.

Airway Resistance

Epithelial vs. serosal stimulation of tracheal muscle: role of epithelium.

There is evidence implying an active role of airway epithelium in the modulation of bronchomotor tone. To study this phenomenon, we designed an in vitro system allowing pharmacological stimulation of either the inside or outside of the airway lumen. Rat tracheas were excised, cannulated, and their inside and outside perfused independently with Krebs solution. Two hooks were inserted through opposite sides of the tracheal wall, the lower one was attached to a fixed point, while the upper one was connected to a force transducer. Isometric contractions of the tracheal muscle were elicited by carbachol solution perfused in single and cumulative concentrations. In one-half of the preparations the epithelium was mechanically removed. Stimulation of the inside or outside of the trachea produced equal maximal tracheal muscle tension [1.55 +/- 0.14 and 1.2 +/- 0.09 (SE) g in and out, respectively]. The time course of tension development was longer when carbachol was administered inside the trachea: an effect that was abolished when the epithelium was removed. In addition, removal of the epithelium was found 1) to increase the maximal tension irrespective of the route of carbachol perfusion and 2) to increase the sensitivity of the preparation to carbachol stimulation.

Animals

Intraepithelial T-lymphocyte subsets in the airways of normal subjects and of patients with chronic bronchitis.

Lymphocyte infiltration of central airway epithelium was evaluated in 13 normal nonsmoking subjects (Group 1), in 11 smokers without clinical signs of chronic bronchitis (Group 2), and in 34 patients who were smokers with chronic bronchitis and mild airflow limitation (Group 3). Bronchial samples were obtained through fiberoptic bronchoscopy. Murine monoclonal antibodies directed against cell-surface antigens and an immunoperoxidase technique were used on cryostat sections to label in situ the following lymphocyte populations: T-lymphocytes (CD3+), helper/inducer T-cells (CD4+), suppressor/cytotoxic T-cells (CD8+) and B-lymphocytes (leu 12+). Virtually no B-cells were found in central airway epithelium from subjects of any group. Conversely, consistent infiltration of epithelial layers with T-lymphocytes of both subsets was observed in all subjects, with a constant predominance of CD8+ over CD4+ cells. For any T-cell marker, differences between mean scores from Group 1 and Group 2 subjects were not statistically significant. On the other hand, mean lymphocyte numbers of both subsets were found increased in patients from Group 3 compared with subjects from the two other groups: statistically significant differences were observed for CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ cells (p less than 0.001). Furthermore, lymphocyte scores at two different airway generation were compared in some patients from Groups 2 and 3, and a significant positive correlation was observed. These results suggest that T-lymphocyte infiltration of central airway epithelium (1) may be a naturally occurring phenomenon that is amplified in the airways of smokers with chronic bronchitis, and (2) may represent the counterpart to the intraepithelial population of the intestine.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Unilateral lung transplantation in end-stage pulmonary emphysema.

Patients with end-stage pulmonary emphysema are usually proposed for either heart-lung or double-lung transplantation. The single-lung transplantation is reversed for patients with pulmonary fibrosis. Patients with emphysema are thought to be unsuitable for single-lung transplantation because of the ventilation-perfusion imbalance that is supposed to occur, the ventilation being preferentially distributed to the native lung when the perfusion is distributed to the transplanted lung. We now report a preliminary success with single-lung transplantation in two consecutive patients with end-stage pulmonary emphysema. Despite the persistence after transplantation of an obstructive syndrome, the clinical status was good, the blood gases were markedly improved, and ventilation-perfusion imbalance did not occur on lung scans. After discharge from the hospital, the patients could return to an almost normal life. Thus, our data support the feasibility of single-lung transplantation in patients with end-stage pulmonary emphysema, and we consider that single-lung transplantation could be the optimal form of lung transplantation in these patients.

Humans

Effects of Ca2+ withdrawal on diaphragmatic fiber tension generation.

The effects of extracellular Ca2+ withdrawal were studied on isolated diaphragmatic muscle fibers and compared with the effects on the papillary, soleus, and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) contractility, using the same in vitro model. Diaphragmatic fibers were obtained from 15 rats, and papillary muscles, soleus, and EDL were obtained from 10 animals. Isometric force generated in response to 1-Hz supramaximal electrical stimulation was measured with a highly sensitive photoelectric transducer. After control measurements, perfusion with a Krebs solution depleted of calcium (0 Ca2+) was started while the fibers were continuously stimulated (4 times/min) and twitches recorded. For the papillary fibers, perfusion with zero Ca2+ was followed by an immediate decrease in twitch tension, complete twitch abolition occurring within 3 +/- 1 min after zero-Ca2+ exposure. Diaphragmatic fibers behaved similarly, although twitch abolition was delayed (10 +/- 3 min after 0-Ca2+ exposure). For the soleus fibers, the twitch amplitude amounted to 38 +/- 10% of control (62% decrease on the average) after 30 min of zero-Ca2+ exposure, no twitch abolition being noted even after 1 h of Ca2+-free exposure. The twitch amplitude of the EDL fibers amounted to 75 +/- 7% of control (25% decrease) after 30 min of zero-Ca2+ exposure. The recovery kinetics for the four fiber types after reexposure to Ca2+-containing solution were also different, with papillary and diaphragmatic fibers recovering completely within 2.5 +/- 0.5 and 4 +/- 0.5 min, respectively. By contrast, neither the soleus nor the EDL showed complete recovery after 30 min.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Effects of sepsis on diaphragmatic function in rats.

The effects of a 3-day pneumococcal infection on diaphragmatic strength and endurance capacity were studied in an in vivo rat model. Thirty-four rats were divided into a control (C) (n = 17) or a septic (S) group (n = 17). Animals were inoculated subcutaneously with 10(11) Streptococcus pneumoniae (S), or sterile culture media (C). All rats were studied 3 days after inoculation. Diaphragmatic strength and endurance capacity were studied in 11 animals of each group. Diaphragmatic strength was assessed by measuring transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) generated during electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerves at different frequencies (0.5, 10, 20, 30, 50, and 100 Hz). Endurance index was calculated as the ratio of Pdi generated after 30 s of phrenic nerve stimulation at 10 Hz divided by the initial force. Measurements of lung weights and lung histologic examinations were performed in the 6 remaining rats from each group. S animals were hyperthermic (39 to 40 degrees C rectal temperature). There was no evidence of pneumonia at histologic examination in Group S. No differences in wet weight of the lung and in the dry-to-wet weight ratio were noted in Group S as compared with Group C. However, S. pneumoniae was isolated from blood and lungs of S animals. Diaphragmatic weight was not different between S and C groups, whereas the weights of the extensor digitorium longus (EDL), tibialis anterior (TA), and soleus muscles were significantly reduced in Group S as compared to Group C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals

Tracheal occlusion pressure: a simple index to monitor respiratory muscle fatigue during acute respiratory failure in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess respiratory muscle fatigue in acute respiratory failure in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and evaluate its influence on weaning patients from mechanical ventilation. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: We studied the time course of tracheal occlusion pressure (P0.1) and high-to-low ratio of the diaphragmatic electromyogram in 16 patients in acute respiratory failure with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: All patients were intubated and studied during a 15-minute weaning period from ventilation. Minute ventilation (VE), arterial blood gases, P0.1 and high-to-low ratio of the diaphragm were measured every day from the onset to the end of acute failure (before extubation) at 5 and 15 minutes into the weaning period. The diaphragmatic electromyogram was recorded with an esophageal electrode and the high-to-low ratio of the electrical signal analyzed to assess diaphragmatic fatigue. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In all patients P0.1 was markedly increased (7.1 +/- 2.4 cm H2O, mean +/- SE) on the first day of acute failure and did not change during weaning. In 11 patients, P0.1 had decreased to 4.7 +/- 1.8 cm H2O (P less than or equal to 0.002) before extubation (which was done after 5 to 9 days). In these patients, the high-to-low ratio of the diaphragm decreased rapidly-during the first minutes of weaning on the first day of acute failure and remained low throughout weaning, whereas before extubation no decrease in high-to-low ratio was seen during weaning. In 5 patients, P0.1 did not change significantly from the onset of acute failure and the high-to-low ratio remained low before extubation. These 5 patients had to be reintubated within 2 to 6 days. In both groups of patients, VE did not change significantly from the first to last day of acute failure (10.3 +/- 3 compared with 10.7 +/- 2.1 min-1), whereas blood gases during room air breathing improved significantly from the first to last day of acute failure, respectively, in each group (arterial oxygen pressure [PaO2], 33.5 +/- 1.5 compared with 44 +/- 9 mm Hg (P less than or equal to 0.05) and PaO2 56 +/- 2.3 compared with 49 +/- 2 mm Hg (P less than 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Extubation should not be done in patients with respiratory muscle fatigue despite improvement in arterial blood gases and clinical status; and P0.1 provides a valid and simple index to assess the likelihood of respiratory muscle fatigue.

Acute Disease

Therapeutic aspects of mucociliary clearance.

Measurements of mucociliary activity are still very approximate. It is therefore difficult to determine the particular effect of certain drugs on patients and on experimental animals. Adrenergic drugs increase ciliary efficiency; local anesthetics, barbiturates and narcotics strongly depress ciliary action. Further research is required on mucociliary clearance mechanisms.

Cilia

[Action of aminophylline on the strength of contraction of the diaphragm in patients with chronic obstructive respiratory insufficiency].

The effect of a sustained-release aminophylline preparation on diaphragmatic contractility was investigated in patients with stable chronic obstructive lung disease (FEV1 = 22.6% of predicted value). Ten such patients were tested before (control) and after a week's course of oral aminophylline. Diaphragmatic contractility was evaluated by measuring the transdiaphragmatic pressure generated at residual functional capacity by bilateral electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerves. The nerves were stimulated supramaximally at 1 Hz, using needle electrodes. Plasma aminophylline levels (12.5 +/- 0.9 mg/l) were within therapeutic range in all patients. After treatment with aminophylline, for each stimulation the transdiaphragmatic pressure increased significantly from 14 +/- 1.3 to 17 +/- 1.3 cm H2O (+21%; P less than 0.005). These results confirm that aminophylline increases the force of contraction of the diaphragmatic fibres electively tested by the technique used. Long-term treatment with theophylline in therapeutic doses may be of interest in such patients, as it might improve their diaphragmatic contractility and result in better control of both respiratory muscle fatigue and episodes of acute respiratory failure.

Aged

[Extensive bronchial dystrophy. Physiopathology and treatment of suppurative complications (author's transl)].

Extensive bronchial dystrophy differs by its histopathology, course and treatment from chronic obstructive bronchitis. This dystrophy leads to cavities which are virtually constantly infected. The extension of infection to adjacent alveoli may be dramatic, contrasting with underlying slight chronic respiratory failure. The existence of these cavities explains the preponderant role in therapy of drainage and the fact that antibiotic therapy would appear to be indicated only in the case of extension of infection to the alveoli and the peribronchial tissues.

Anti-Bacterial Agents