Acute, subacute, and chronic histologic effects of simulated aspiration of a 0.7% sucralfate suspension in rats.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the acute (4-hr), subacute (7-day), and chronic (21-day) effects of simulated aspiration of a 0.7% sucralfate suspension in rats.


METHODS
Prospective, multigroup trial in which rats were randomized to various simulated aspiration groups.


METHODS
Experimental animal laboratory.


METHODS
Forty-five Sprague-Dawley rats.


METHODS
Simulated aspiration was induced by single, direct, tracheal instillation of 2 mL/kg of either room air, sucralfate, or normal saline.


RESULTS
Lung histologic changes were assessed using a quantitative numerical scoring scale. There was an increase in bronchiolar inflammation in rats undergoing acute, simulated sucralfate aspiration compared with controls. There were no significant differences (p > .05) in any other features at any time interval studied (two-way analysis of variance).


CONCLUSIONS
Even though significant inflammatory airway lesions were produced in this acute model, these abnormalities resolved without evidence of subacute or chronic histologic progression. It remains to be determined if this pattern is unique to this specific experimental model or if it can be extrapolated to critically ill patients.
Shepherd
K E
KE
Department of Anaesthesia, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.
Faulkner
C S
CS
Thal
G D
GD
Leiter
J C
JC
D000818:Animals; D001980:Bronchi / Q000187:drug effects; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects*; D011015:Pneumonia, Aspiration / Q000473:pathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011897:Random Allocation; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012965:Sodium Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D013392:Sucralfate / Q000009:adverse effects*
D012965:Sodium Chloride; D013392:Sucralfate