Effect of acute cold exposure on lung perfusion and tracheal smooth muscle contraction in rabbit

Acute exposure to cold temperature can affect the respiratory system of those exposed to extreme weather and induces asthma in asthmatic patients. However, the effect on lung perfusion and the pulmonary circulation was not addressed in any previous study. The present study investigates the effects of acute cold exposure on tracheal smooth muscle and lung perfusion. New Zealand White rabbits were used in these experiments. For in vitro experiments, isolated tracheal segments were suspended in organ baths containing Krebs' solution for isometric tension recording. Tissue response to cooling from 37 to 4°C was examined. For in vivo experiments, the rabbits were kept in a cold room (4°C) for 1 h. Lung perfusion scintigraphy was performed at the end of this period. Each rabbit was injected with 74 MBq (2 mCi) technetium-99m macroaggregated ((99m)Tc MAA). Perfusion studies were done by using Gamma camera equipped with a low-energy, high-resolution, parallel-hole collimator interfaced with a computer. Static images were acquired 5 min after administration of the radiotracer. Cooling induced a rapid and reproducible contraction in the tracheal smooth muscle. Rabbits exposed to cold temperature had lesser lung perfusion than controls using radionuclide perfusion study. Our results highlight the response of tracheal muscle and pulmonary circulation to cold exposure. These results indicate that cooling induced contraction of the trachea and decreased pulmonary circulation and lung perfusion. This summation of acute cooling for tracheal smooth muscle and pulmonary circulation seems to be the reason for the severe cooling-induced contraction.