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Updated: Apr 20, 2026

Micro-Mechanical Characterization of Lung Tissue Using Atomic Force Microscopy
Published on: August 28, 2011
Pleural liquid and kinetic friction coefficient of mesothelium after mechanical ventilation
Francesca Bodega1, Chiara Sironi1, Cristina Porta1
1Dipartimento di Fisiopatologia e dei Trapianti, Sezione di Fisiologia Umana, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
Abstract:
Volume and protein concentration of pleural liquid in anesthetized rabbits after 1 or 3h of mechanical ventilation, with alveolar pressure equal to atmospheric at end expiration, were compared to those occurring after spontaneous breathing. Moreover, coefficient of kinetic friction between samples of visceral and parietal pleura, obtained after spontaneous or mechanical ventilation, sliding in vitro at physiological velocity under physiological load, was determined. Volume of pleural liquid after mechanical ventilation was similar to that previously found during spontaneous ventilation. This finding is contrary to expectation of Moriondo et al. (2005), based on measurement of lymphatic and interstitial pressure. Protein concentration of pleural liquid after mechanical ventilation was also similar to that occurring after spontaneous ventilation. Coefficient of kinetic friction after mechanical ventilation was 0.023±0.001, similar to that obtained after spontaneous breathing.
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