BJA Advance Access originally published online on March 19, 2004
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British Journal of Anaesthesia, 2004, Vol. 92, No. 5 737-740
© 2004 The Board of Management and Trustees of the British Journal of Anaesthesia
Short Communications |
Effects of propofol on respiratory mechanic and lung histology in normal rats
1 Laboratory of Respiration Physiology and 2 Laboratory of Pulmonary Investigation, Carlos Chagas Filho Biophysics Institute, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Ilha do Fundão, 21949-900, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 3 LIM 59Cellular Biology, A.C. Camargo Cancer Hospital, Department of Thoracic Medicine, São Paulo, Brazil. 4 Istituto Polidisciplinare di Anestesia, Rianimazione e Terapia Antalgica, Università di Trieste, Trieste, Italy
*Corresponding author. E-mail: wazin{at}biof.ufrj.br
Background. Propofol is able to reduce airway resistance in lungs with previous airway constriction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of propofol on respiratory mechanics in normal rats and to correlate these parameters with lung histology, to define the sites of action of propofol.
Methods. Sixteen Wistar rats were divided into two groups of eight animals. Rats were sedated (diazepam) and anaesthetized with pentobarbital sodium (C) or propofol (P), and paralysed. Respiratory system, lung, and chest wall resistive, elastic, and viscoelastic/inhomogeneous pressures were computed using the end-inflation occlusion method.
Results. Lung resistive pressure was smaller in group P (0.29 kPa (0.05)) than group C (0.37 kPa (0.04)) (P=0.007). The internal diameter of the central airways was greater in group P than C (P=0.01).
Conclusion. Propofol acts at the airway level decreasing respiratory system and lung impedances as a result of central airway dilation.
Br J Anaesth 2004; 92: 73740