Alteration of pressure-volume characteristics due to different types of edema induction in isolated rabbit lungs

In a model of isolated, ventilated and perfused rabbit lungs the influence of a fixed amount of edema (standardized at 7 g weight gain/kg body weight) on the pressure-volume characteristics of the isolated lungs was investigated. Periodical stimulation with A 23187 or A 23187 plus indomethacin or A 23187 plus indomethacin plus glutathione evokes an increase in vascular permeability with subsequent severe alterations of the pressure-volume characteristics, reflecting a disturbance in the alveolar surfactant system, which is more extensive the more rapidly the edema develops. The alterations caused this way are markedly more severe than those caused by the same amount of weight gain due to mechanically increased capillary filtration pressure.