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Method of Isolated Ex Vivo Lung Perfusion in a Rat Model: Lessons Learned from Developing a Rat EVLP Program
Published on: February 25, 2015
Lung-lung interaction in isolated perfused unilateral hyperventilated rat lungs
Aishan Bilali1, Shunichi Kurata, Satoshi Ikeda
1Department of Critical Care Medicine, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan.
Summary
High tidal volume ventilation causes lung inflammation, especially without positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). PEEP protects against lung injury and remote organ effects during mechanical ventilation.
Area of Science:
- Physiology
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Critical Care
Background:
- Mechanical ventilation strategies, particularly high tidal volumes, can induce lung inflammation.
- The impact of ventilation settings on lung injury and potential remote organ effects requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effects of high tidal volume (TV) ventilation on lung inflammation in isolated rat lungs.
- To determine the protective role of positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) against ventilation-induced lung injury (VILI).
Main Methods:
- Isolated rat lungs were ventilated with high TV (15 mL/kg) under zero end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP) or PEEP.
- Lung injury was assessed by wet/dry ratio, protein content in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (Prot-BALF), and cytokine expression (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta).
- Immunofluorescence staining localized TNF-alpha in lung tissues.
Main Results:
- Hyperventilation with ZEEP induced lung injury, evidenced by increased wet/dry ratio, Prot-BALF, and TNF-alpha.
- PEEP significantly attenuated these markers of lung injury.
- Recirculation of perfusate exacerbated lung injury in the non-ventilated lung.
Conclusions:
- High tidal volume ventilation without PEEP causes significant lung inflammation and injury.
- PEEP is crucial in preventing VILI and its associated inflammatory responses.
- Mechanical ventilation strategies impact both the ventilated and contralateral lung, highlighting the importance of PEEP and perfusate management.
