[Experimental studies on the therapeutic effects of lung lavage with large volume of saline on silicosis].
Sterile saline was instilled into and aspirated from the lung of dust-exposed rabbits in imitation of clinical method of the whole-lung lavage. The changes of the biochemical and cellular components in alveolar fluid were observed before and after lavage with a view to providing evidence for the applicability of the method in the treatment of silicosis. The results showed that the number of cells, the protein content and the activities of both LDH and AKP were significantly lower than those of control group, except the total phospholipid and dipalmityl phosphatidyl choline (DPPC) in alveolar fluid after lavage. A certain amount of dust was also removed from lung with lavage. The wash-out of SiO2 from the first lavage was higher than that of the second lavage. It is suggested that lavage might delay the development of silicosis and be more effective in early stages of silicosis.
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D018893:Bronchoalveolar Lavage; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000166:cytology; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D011817:Rabbits; D012829:Silicosis / Q000628:therapy*