Changes in lung and systemic oxidant and antioxidant activity after smoke inhalation

We determined the oxidant activity in lung airways, parenchyma, and systemic tissues in response to smoke inhalation, comparing lipid peroxidation with physiologic and histologic change. Adult sheep were given a controlled amount of cooled smoke from burned cotton toweling, containing a uniform particle diameter of 3-4 microns. The mean peak carboxyhemoglobin was 45 +/- 4%. Animals were monitored unanesthetized for 24 h and killed. Severe respiratory failure was noted, as a result of airways mucosal ulceration, submucosal edema, and atelectasis, along with increased airways fluid, but minimal alveolar edema. Airway fluid malondialdehyde (MDA) content was threefold greater than plasma. However, airways mucosa and lung parenchymal tissue, lipid peroxidation, and oxidized glutathione were not increased, suggesting the only direct oxidant activity was present only at the airways surface. Other factors besides oxidants are likely to be involved in the lung injury. However, a marked systemic oxidant stress was noted as evidenced by a significant increase in liver tissue MDA and decrease in reduced glutathione and catalase activity. The tissue oxidant stress also corresponded with a 75% increase in systemic oxygen consumption and an increase in soft tissue vascular permeability. We conclude that: 1) the only direct lung oxidant stress after smoke was noted in airways fluid, while lung tissue lipid peroxidation was not seen despite severe airways injury and atelectasis, and 2) major systemic physiologic changes, as evidenced by increased systemic oxygen demands and systemic microvascular permeability are seen with smoke exposure in addition to evidence of systemic tissue oxidant stress. The likely source of the oxidant activity was a smoke-induced systemic inflammation.