[Effect of E. coli endotoxin and D-galactosamine on pathophysiology in rat lungs]

The effects of repeated intravenous injection of E. coli endotoxin (ETX) and intraperitoneal injection of D-galactosamine (GAL), which decreases the circulating level of alpha 1-antitrypsin, on the pathophysiology of chronic lung injury was studied in rats. Four groups were prepared as follows for 8 weeks. Group 1 (control): Intravenous injection of saline. Group 2: Intravenous injection of ETX (2 mg/kg) once a week. Group 3: Intraperitoneal injection of GAL (200 mg/kg), 2 times daily on 3 consecutive days each week. Group 4: Injection of both ETX and GAL, at the same dosages as used in groups 2 and 3. Total lung capacity and static lung compliance divided by weight were high in the ETX group and the ETX + GAL group, comparative when compared with those in the control and GAL groups, even though weight gain rates in the ETX + GAL group was less than in other groups. Mean linear intercept of rats in the ETX + GAL group was significantly greater than in other groups. These results suggest that ETX + GAL-treated rats have more emphysematous changes in pulmonary function and structure.