title: [Aging of the lung parenchyma].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The study of lung parenchymal function is focused on the measurement of carbon monoxide diffusing transfer (TLCO) which is a function of both membrane characteristics (Dm) and capillary lung volume (Vc) The objective of this study was to estimate the effect of age on both variables.
  
  
  METHODS
  At rest, 134 healthy non-smokers (18-85 year old) were investigated by a double transfer NO-CO method. Capillary pulmonary compliance was estimated by applying a continuous negative pressure (CNP: -10 mmHg) at the mouth to 24 subjects.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant decreases in VA, TLCO, TLNO, Dm and Vc in relation to age were observed (p < 0.05). CNP induced a significant increase in all variables, the increase in Vc in elderly was greater than that in younger subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Alveolo capillary membrane aging induces a decrease in Dm and Vc, however the increase in the estimated capillary compliance with CNP could provide an adaptation to the decrease in Vc.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de physiologie et explorations fonctionnelles, EPS Farhat Hached, Sousse, Tunisie. sonia.rouatbi@rns.tn
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rouatbi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dardouri
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Farhat Ouahchi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ben Mdella
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tabka
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guenard
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D000465:Algorithms; D002199:Capillary Permeability; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism*; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism; D011653:Pulmonary Diffusing Capacity; D015919:Ventilators, Negative-Pressure
chemical_list: D009569:Nitric Oxide; D002248:Carbon Monoxide