Static lung mechanics of intact and excised rhesus monkey lungs and lobes

1978 ◽  
Vol 44 (4) ◽  
pp. 547-552 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. D. Pare ◽  
R. Boucher ◽  
M. C. Michoud ◽  
J. C. Hogg

Subdivisions of lung volume and pressure-volume (PV) curves of the lung and chest wall (CW) were measured in 12 rhesus monkeys (Macacca mulatta) under pentobarbital anesthesia. In addition, volumes and PV curves were obtained on the excised lungs and lobes of 12 cynomolgus monkeys (M. fasicularis). Boyle's law was used to determine functional residual capacity (FRC) in the intact animals and water displacement to determine minimal volume (MV) in the excised lungs. Total lung capacity (TLC = lung volume at a transpulmonary pressure of 30 cmH2O) was similar in vivo and in vitro (90 + 83 ml/kg) but residual volume (RV = volume at airway pressure of -50 cmH2O) and MV differed markedly (16.5 + 5.9 ml/kg). In the intact animals a very stiff CW appeared to determine RV, whereas airway closure determined MV in excised lungs. PV curves of upper and lower lobes were not different when expressed as %TLC but when expressed as milliliters of gas per gram of lung, the upper lobes contained significantly more gas per unit weight.

1985 ◽  
Vol 59 (1) ◽  
pp. 205-210 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. A. Standaert ◽  
W. A. LaFramboise ◽  
R. E. Tuck ◽  
D. E. Woodrum

This report describes the design of an apparatus and the procedures used to serially measure the total lung capacity and the functional residual capacity of small animals utilizing the N2-washout technique. The calibration data indicate that the technique is accurate to within 1 ml and has a variance of less than 5%. The in vivo lung volume measurements of rats were validated by comparing them with values obtained with a water-displacement technique; the means were within 0.3 ml. Examples of the precision and changes in lung volume of animals during studies are included to demonstrate the reliability and usefulness of the technique.


2000 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 956-960 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert H. Brown ◽  
Wayne Mitzner

When airway smooth muscle is contracted in vitro, the airway lumen continues to narrow with increasing concentrations of agonist until complete airway closure occurs. Although there remains some controversy regarding whether airways can close in vivo, recent work has clearly demonstrated that, if the airway is sufficiently stimulated with contractile agonists, complete closure of even large cartilaginous conducting airways can readily occur with the lung at functional residual capacity (Brown RH and Mitzner W. J Appl Physiol 85: 2012–2017, 1998). This result suggests that the tethering of airways in situ by parenchymal attachments is small at functional residual capacity. However, at lung volumes above functional residual capacity, the outward tethering of airways should increase, because both the parenchymal shear modulus and tethering forces increase in proportion to the transpulmonary pressure. In the present study, we tested whether we could prevent airway closure in vivo by increasing lung volume with positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Airway smooth muscle was stimulated with increasing methacholine doses delivered directly to airway smooth muscle at three levels of PEEP (0, 6, and 10 cmH2O). Our results show that increased lung volume shifted the airway methacholine dose-response curve to the right, but, in many airways in most animals, airway closure still occurred even at the highest levels of PEEP.


Author(s):  
Ynuk Bossé

The deep inspiration (DI) maneuver entices a great deal of interest because of its ability to temporarily ease the flow of air into the lungs. This salutary effect of a DI is proposed to be mediated, at least partially, by momentarily increasing the operating length of airway smooth muscle (ASM). Concerningly, this premise is largely derived from a growing body of in vitro studies investigating the effect of stretching ASM by different magnitudes on its contractility. The relevance of these in vitro findings remains uncertain, as the real range of strains ASM undergoes in vivo during a DI is somewhat elusive. In order to understand the regulation of ASM contractility by a DI and to infer on its putative contribution to the bronchodilator effect of a DI, it is imperative that in vitro studies incorporate levels of strains that are physiologically relevant. This review summarizes the methods that may be used in vivo in humans to estimate the strain experienced by ASM during a DI from functional residual capacity (FRC) to total lung capacity (TLC). The strengths and limitations of each method, as well as the potential confounders, are also discussed. A rough estimated range of ASM strains is provided for the purpose of guiding future in vitro studies that aim at quantifying the regulatory effect of DI on ASM contractility. However, it is emphasized that, owing to the many limitations and confounders, more studies will be needed to reach conclusive statements.


1990 ◽  
Vol 69 (5) ◽  
pp. 1702-1708 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. S. Margulies ◽  
G. A. Farkas ◽  
J. R. Rodarte

The performance of the diaphragm is influenced by its in situ length relative to its optimal force-generating length (Lo). Lead markers were sutured to the abdominal surface of the diaphragm along bundles of the left ventral, middle, and dorsal regions of the costal diaphragm and the left crural diaphragm of six beagle dogs. After 2-3 wk postoperative recovery, the dogs were anesthetized, paralyzed, and scanned prone and supine in the Dynamic Spatial Reconstructor (DSR) at a total lung capacity (TLC), functional residual capacity (FRC), and residual volume (RV). The location of each marker was digitized from the reconstructed DSR images, and in situ lengths were determined. After an overdose of anesthetic had been administered to the dogs, each marked diaphragm bundle was removed, mounted in a 37 degrees C in vitro chamber, and adjusted to Lo (maximum tetanic force). The operating length of the diaphragm, or in situ length expressed as percent Lo, varied from region to region at the lung volumes studied; variability was least at RV and increased with increasing lung volume. At FRC, all regions of the diaphragm was shorter in the prone posture compared with the supine, but there was no clear gravity-dependent vertical gradient of in situ length in either posture. Because in vitro length-tension characteristics were similar for all diaphragm regions, regional in vivo length differences indicate that the diaphragm's potential to generate maximal force is nonuniform.


2008 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 685-692 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme R. Zosky ◽  
Tibor Z. Janosi ◽  
Ágnes Adamicza ◽  
Elizabeth M. Bozanich ◽  
Vincenzo Cannizzaro ◽  
...  

The double sigmoidal nature of the mouse pressure-volume (PV) curve is well recognized but largely ignored. This study systematically examined the effect of inflating the mouse lung to 40 cm H2O transrespiratory pressure (Prs) in vivo. Adult BALB/c mice were anesthetized, tracheostomized, and mechanically ventilated. Thoracic gas volume was calculated using plethysmography and electrical stimulation of the intercostal muscles. Lung mechanics were tracked during inflation-deflation maneuvers using a modification of the forced oscillation technique. Inflation beyond 20 cm H2O caused a shift in subsequent PV curves with an increase in slope of the inflation limb and an increase in lung volume at 20 cm H2O. There was an overall decrease in tissue elastance and a fundamental change in its volume dependence. This apparent “softening” of the lung could be recovered by partial degassing of the lung or applying a negative transrespiratory pressure such that lung volume decreased below functional residual capacity. Allowing the lung to spontaneously recover revealed that the lung required ∼1 h of mechanical ventilation to return to the original state. We propose a number of possible mechanisms for these observations and suggest that they are most likely explained by the unfolding of alveolar septa and the subsequent redistribution of the fluid lining the alveoli at high transrespiratory pressure.


1986 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 225-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Oliven ◽  
G. S. Supinski ◽  
S. G. Kelsen

Costal strips of diaphragmatic muscle obtained from animals with elastase-induced emphysema generate maximum tension at significantly shorter muscle fiber lengths than muscle strips from control animals. The present study examined the consequences of alterations in the length-tension relationship assessed in vitro on the pressure generated by the diaphragm in vivo. Transdiaphragmatic pressure (Pdi) and functional residual capacity (FRC) were measured in 22 emphysematous and 22 control hamsters 4–5 mo after intratracheal injection of pancreatic elastase or saline, respectively. In 12 emphysematous and 12 control hamsters Pdi was also measured during spontaneous contractions against an occluded airway. To allow greater control over muscle excitation, Pdi was measured during bilateral tetanic (50 Hz) electrical stimulation of the phrenic nerves in 10 emphysematous and 10 control hamsters. Mean FRC in the emphysematous hamsters was 183% of the value in control hamsters (P less than 0.01). During spontaneous inspiratory efforts against a closed airway the highest Pdi generated at FRC tended to be greater in control than emphysematous hamsters. When control hamsters were inflated to a lung volume approximating the FRC of emphysematous animals, however, peak Pdi was significantly greater in emphysematous animals (70 +/- 6 and 41 +/- 8 cmH2O; P less than 0.05). With electrophrenic stimulation, the Pdi-lung volume curve was shifted toward higher lung volumes in emphysematous hamsters. Pdi at all absolute lung volumes at and above the FRC of emphysematous hamsters was significantly greater in emphysematous compared with control animals. Moreover, Pdi continued to be generated by emphysematous hamsters at levels of lung volume where Pdi of control subjects was zero.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


1979 ◽  
Vol 47 (4) ◽  
pp. 907-909 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. A. Hills ◽  
R. E. Barrow

A method has been devised for measuring functional residual capacity in the intact killed animal or absolute lung volumes in any excised lung preparation without changing the inflation pressure. This is achieved by titrating the absolute pressure of a chamber in which the preparation is compressed until a known volume of air has entered the lungs. This technique was used to estimate the volumes of five intact rabbit lungs and five rigid containers of known dimensions by means of Boyle's law. Results were found to agree to within +/- 1% with values determined by alternative methods. In the discussion the advantage of determining absolute lung volumes at almost any stage in a study of lung mechanics without the determination itself changing inflation pressure and, hence, lung volume is emphasized.


1986 ◽  
Vol 61 (1) ◽  
pp. 220-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. A. Farkas ◽  
D. F. Rochester

The neck inspiratory muscles are recruited to support breathing under numerous conditions. To gain insight into their synergistic actions we examined the isometric contractile properties of bundles from canine scalene and sternomastoid muscles. In addition, we also related the length of the neck muscles, measured sonomicrometrically in vivo at different lung volumes and body positions, to their optimal force-producing length (Lo) determined in vitro. We found that the speed of the sternomastoid is somewhat faster than that of the scalene owing to a shorter relaxation rate; the sternomastoid generates higher forces at submaximal stimulation frequencies than the scalene; the maximal tetanic force corrected for cross-sectional area is the same for both neck muscles; the neck muscles are significantly faster than the canine costal diaphragm; at supine functional residual capacity (FRC), the scalene is operating at a length corresponding to 85% Lo, whereas the sternomastoid is significantly shorter at 75% Lo; increasing lung volume shortens both muscles slightly, the length at supine total lung capacity being approximately 5% shorter than at FRC; and in the upright posture, both neck muscles lengthen toward their Lo, with the sternomastoid lengthening more than the scalene. We conclude that the scalene is a more effective force generator than the sternomastoid with the animal lying supine; the neck muscles appear to maintain their force-generating potential regardless of the lung volume; and the force-generating potential of the neck muscles is greatly enhanced with the animal in the upright vs. the supine position. This may contribute to the augmented rib cage motion characteristic of breathing in the upright posture.


1983 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 1414-1421 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. A. Hoffman ◽  
L. J. Sinak ◽  
R. A. Robb ◽  
E. L. Ritman

The Dynamic Spatial Reconstructor (DSR) can be used to determine detailed structure-to-function relationships or organ systems in vivo. A basic index of lung structure (shape and dimensions) is total lung volume. We checked the accuracy with which in vivo lung volumes can be measured by comparing lung volume (air plus tissue) determined by DSR scanning with that determined by excision and water displacement. Six dogs (2.5–26 kg) under morphine-pentobarbital anesthesia were scanned supine or prone at functional residual capacity and/or total lung capacity. With the trachea clamped at the lung volume scanned, a lethal dose of pentobarbital was administered, the lung excised, and its volume determined by water displacement. In vivo scan data were used to reconstruct adjacent 0.9-mm-thick transverse sections over the entire axial extent of the thorax. A three-dimensional surface-detection algorithm was used to generate shaded surface displays of the in situ lungs. The number of voxels (volume picture elements) of known dimensions contained within the three-dimensional image of the lung was summed to estimate total lung volume. Lung volumes calculated from the in vivo images ranged from -3.4 to +2.3% of the lung volume determined in vitro. The mean difference was 1.38 +/- 0.07% (SE). Regression analysis yielded an r value (correlation) of 1.00, a slope of 0.99, and an intercept of -4.35 ml. Multiple lung inflation steps scanned and analyzed in one dog showed similar accuracy. This technique is applicable to subjects with thorax dimensions up to 42 cm in cephalocaudal height and 39 cm in ventrodorsal and transverse diameters.


1998 ◽  
Vol 85 (4) ◽  
pp. 1464-1470 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norihiro Shinozuka ◽  
Jean-Pierre Lavoie ◽  
James G. Martin ◽  
Jason H. T. Bates

It is well established that the degree of airway smooth muscle shortening produced by a given dose of bronchial agonist is greatly affected by lung volume. The airways are tethered by parenchymal attachments, the tension of which increases progressively with lung volume, thereby presenting a commensurately increasing hindrance to smooth muscle contraction. Earlier studies (P. F. Dillon, M. O. Aksoy, S. P. Driska, and R. A. Murphy. Science 211: 495–497, 1981) presented evidence that smooth muscle contraction initially involves rapidly cycling cross bridges, which then change to noncycling (latch) bridges. They also suggested that most of the muscle shortening occurs during the early rapid cross-bridge phase. This implies that smooth muscle subject to a given load early in contraction should shorten less than when it is subject to the same load later on. An in vitro study (W. Li and N. L. Stephens. Can. J. Physiol. Pharmacol. 72: 1458–1463, 1994) obtained support for this notion. To test this hypothesis in vivo, we measured the changes in lung impedance at 1 and 6 Hz produced in dogs by a bolus intravenous injection of methacholine when lung volume was increased for 10 s at different times after injection. We found that the changes in mechanics were greatly inhibited, whereas lung volume was elevated. However, when lung volume was returned to its initial level, the lung mechanics continued to change at a rate unaffected by the preceding volume change. We conclude that temporary mechanical inhibition of airway smooth muscle shortening in the normal dog in vivo merely delays an otherwise normal course of contraction.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document