Anti-inflammatory effects of perfluorocarbon compounds

Perfluorocarbon compounds (PFCs) are of interest for the treatment of acute lung injury due to unique physicochemical properties such as high solubility for oxygen. Different respiratory treatment modalities (e.g., liquid ventilation or aerosolized PFCs) have been shown to decrease pulmonary inflammatory responses in addition to improving lung compliance in animal models of lung injury and in clinical trials. Specifically, PFC-based treatment modalities have been shown to reduce levels of cytokines, chemokines and other mediators of pulmonary inflammation in a PFC- and, to some extent, concentration-dependent manner. As a result, neutrophil adhesion, accumulation and activation are reduced in PFC-treated animals and in humans undergoing partial liquid ventilation. Although more fundamental studies of the underlying anti-inflammatory mechanisms are needed, respiratory treatment modalities involving PFCs hold great clinical promise.