Solute exchange between the plasma and epithelial lining fluid of rat lungs

Although the transport of solutes from air spaces to plasma has been extensively studied, comparatively little information is available concerning solute equilibration between the plasma and the epithelial lining fluid (ELF) of air-filled lungs. In the present study, 11 lipophobic indicators varying in molecular mass between 22 and 80,000 Da were injected intravenously and/or intramuscularly into anesthetized rats in a manner designed to keep blood concentrations constant. The animals were killed by rapid lavage of their lungs at various intervals up to 120 min after the injections had been made. Indicator concentrations in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and plasma were determined, and BAL-to-plasma concentration ratios were calculated for indicators that were injected (exogenous: [14C]urea, 22Na+, [3H]mannitol, 99mTc-diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (a chelate), 51Cr-(ethylene dinitrilo)tetraacetate (a chelate), 113mIn-transferrin, human albumin, and Evans blue-labeled rat albumin) and those that were already present from the plasma and ELF (unlabeled urea, rat albumin, and rat transferrin). Leakage of exogenous indicators in the blood into the BAL fluid was observed during the lavage procedure. Leakage of [14C]urea, 22Na+, and [3H]mannitol exceeded that of the heavier solute molecules. Diffusion of proteins and the labeled chelates into the ELF before lavage occurred at similar rates, suggesting vesicular transport. Use of rapidly diffusible solutes such as urea for determining dilution of ELF by BAL should be accompanied by intravascular injections of labeled solutes to correct for diffusion from the blood during lavage. Alternatively, labeled chelates or serum proteins can be used to estimate dilution of ELF by BAL. Interstitial sampling may be inevitable if the epithelium has been injured before lavage.