Airway resistance and deposition of particles in the lung

The percentage 24-h lung retention of 4-micrometers monodispersed Teflon particles, aerodynamic diameter about 6 micrometers, was studied twice in 8 healthy nonsmokers. The particles were inhaled at 0.5 liter/sec with maximally deep breaths. Bronchoconstriction was induced by inhalation of a methacholine-bromide aerosol for one exposure before and for the other 20-30 min after the inhalation of the Teflon particles. For both exposures, airway resistance (Raw) was measured with a whole body plethysmograph before and after the induction of the bronchoconstriction and was found on an average to increase with a factor of 2-3. For the exposure when bronchoconstriction was induced after the inhalation of the Teflon particles, Raw and 24-h lung retention correlated significantly. Retention at 24 h was markedly lower when bronchoconstriction was induced before inhalation of the Teflon particles than when bronchoconstriction was induced after, the ranges being 13-24% and 38-68%, respectively. The experimental data agreed well with theoretical data from a lung model wherein the diameters of the airways were varied. The results indicate that the magnitude of bronchoconstriction occurring in real life can protect the alveolar part of the lung by reducing the amount of inhaled particles that deposit there.