[Effect of D-penicillamine and prednisolone on the tissue elasticity of the rat lung]

The elastic properties of the lung-thorax-system were studied in a group of rats treated with prednisolone and D-penicillamine and in a control group, after the surfactant had been washed out. Prednisolone given for 30 days i.p. seemed to make lung parenchyma more stiff-similar to what happens to skin. D-penicillamine has no influence on the lung tissue elasticity (compliance, residual volume, homogenity of inflation) but the elastic retraction after maximal inflation is significantly reduced compared with the control group or the Prednisolone treated group.