[Viscoelastic properties of the alveolar wall in experimental pulmonary fibrosis]

In pulmonary fibrosis the connective tissue framework and the mechanical properties of the lung are profoundly altered. Changes in amounts or distributions of each component of lung tissue (collagen, elastin, and ground substance such as glycosaminoglycans) might be expected to produce changes in viscoelastic properties of lung parenchyma and lead to mechanical inefficiency of the lungs. In order to evaluate the viscoelastic properties of the alveolar wall of fibrotic lungs, we analysed stress relaxation curves (SRL) of lung tissue in hamsters. Golden hamsters were divided into two groups: control (group C) and a group treated intratracheally with bleomycin (group B). Small piece of the alveolar wall tissue (80 x 80 x 1000 microns) was extended, and SRC was recorded for 3 minutes at the fixed extended length. Relaxation times (Tm) were used as indices of tissue viscoelastic properties. Three different Tm (Tm1: short, Tm2: moderate, and Tm3: long relaxation times) were obtained using the method of residuals. In group B, Tm3 (long relaxation time) was significantly larger than Tm3 in the other. Our results in relaxation time suggested that alveolar walls become more viscous with fibrosis. This rise in tissue viscosity with fibrosis may have been due to altered properties of the increased elastic fibers.