Effect of temperature on pressure-volume hysteresis of excised lungs

The objective of this study was to determine if the effect of temperature on excised lung pressure-volume (P-V) hysteresis during various P-V maneuvers would be consistent with predicted effects based on the recruitment-derecruitment (R-D) model of lung P-V hysteresis. Three sets of P-V curves were recorded for excised rat lungs at (1) 24 degrees C, (2) either 42 degrees or 45 degrees C, and (3) 24 degrees C. After full inflation of the lung, deflation-inflation (D-I) cycles were performed between total lung capacity (30 cmH2O) and successively decreasing end-expiratory pressures (EEPs). Normalized hysteresis (K) was plotted vs EEP. K remained relatively constant at EEPs > or = +5 cmH2O at 24 degrees C and 42 degrees C and > +5 cmH2O at 45 degrees C. Large increases in K occurred as the EEP was further reduced, with the relationship of K vs EEP being shifted to the right at 42 degrees C and 45 degrees C relative to 24 degrees C, with the greater shift occurring at 45 degrees C. Previous work has shown that the R-D of lung units contributes to P-V hysteresis and is EEP-dependent, increasing at EEPs < or = +4 +/- 1 cmH2O at room temperature (Cheng et al., 1995). This study suggests that at increased temperatures, R-D of lung units is initiated at higher EEPs and is more extensive than at room temperature.