ENDOTOXIN-INDUCED LUNG INJURY IN UNANESTHETIZED SHEEP - EFFECT OF METHYLPREDNISOLONE

  • 1 January 1981
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 8  (3) , 351-360
Abstract
The effect of methylprednisolone (MPS) on endotoxin-induced lung injury was studied. Lung lymph flow and lymph protein content were used as sensitive indicators of pulmonary microvascular integrity in unanesthetized sheep. Seven animals were given Escherichia coli endotoxin (2 .mu.g/kg) alone and also endotoxin with MPS pretreatment (30 mg/kg) in paired separate studies. The endotoxin injury was divided into an early hypertensive phase (30-90 min) characterized by a significant increase in pulmonary artery pressure (Ppa) and lymph flow (.ovrhdot.QL). This was followed later (3-5 h) by a significant increase in protein-rich .ovrhdot.QL with normal pressures. MPS pretreatment significantly increased both injury phases in all animals. White cell count decreased in both groups; lymph .beta.-glucuronidase increased only in the nontreated group. Platelet count decreased in the nontreated group. Seven animals were then compared using endotoxin alone or with MPS treatment 1 h after endotoxin. Only 4 of 7 animals had a decrease in the lung injury after MPS treatment. MPS is apparently very effective in preventing lung injury, but only minimally effective in reversing the injury from endotoxin.

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