CO2 relaxes parenchyma in the liquid-filled rat lung.
CO(2) regulation of lung compliance is currently explained by pH- and CO(2)-dependent changes in alveolar surface forces and bronchomotor tone. We hypothesized that in addition to, but independently of, those mechanisms, the parenchyma tissue responds to hypercapnia and hypocapnia by relaxing and contracting, respectively, thereby improving local matching of ventilation (Va) to perfusion (Q). Twenty adult rats were slowly ventilated with modified Krebs solution (rate = 3 min(-1), 37 degrees C, open chest) to produce unperfused living lung preparations free of intra-airway surface forces. The solution was gassed with 21% O(2), balance N(2), and CO(2) varied to produce alveolar hypocapnia (Pco(2) = 26.1 +/- 2.4 mmHg, pH = 7.56 +/- 0.04) or hypercapnia (Pco(2) = 55.0 +/- 2.3 mmHg, pH = 7.23 +/- 0.02). The results show that lung recoil, as indicated from airway pressure measured during a breathhold following a large volume inspiration, is reduced approximately 30% when exposed to hypercapnia vs. hypocapnia (P < 0.0001, paired t-test), but stress relaxation and flow-dependent airway resistance were unaltered. Increasing CO(2) from hypo- to hypercapnic levels caused a substantial, significant decrease in the quasi-static pressure-volume relationship, as measured after inspiration and expiration of several tidal volumes, but hysteresis was unaltered. Furthermore, addition of the glycolytic inhibitor NaF abolished CO(2) effects on lung recoil. The results suggest that lung parenchyma tissue relaxation, arising from active elements in response to increasing alveolar CO(2), is independent of (and apparently in parallel with) passive tissue elements and may actively contribute to Va/Q matching.
Emery
Michael J
MJ
Department of Physiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, USA. mjemery@u.washington.edu
Eveland
Randy L
RL
Kim
Seong S
SS
Hildebrandt
Jacob
J
Swenson
Erik R
ER
D000403:Airway Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D006935:Hypercapnia / Q000503:physiopathology; D016857:Hypocapnia / Q000503:physiopathology; D001239:Inhalation / Q000502:physiology; D021061:Liquid Ventilation; D008168:Lung / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology*; D008170:Lung Compliance / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D010477:Perfusion; D051381:Rats; D015656:Respiratory Mechanics / Q000502:physiology; D012969:Sodium Fluoride / Q000494:pharmacology
D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D012969:Sodium Fluoride