title: Spirometric and flow-volume curve analysis in rats, and optimal parameters for estimating obstructive impairment.
abstract: We obtained flow-volume (F-V) curves in anesthetized rats by applying positive pressure on the body surface. To obtain the best curve, tracheal intubation with either a 12 or 13 gauge catheter and a surface pressure greater than 56 cmH(2)O was necessary. Peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) and forced vital capacity (FVC) were shown to be optimal parameters for estimation of bronchoconstriction induced by methacholine inhalation while FEV(0.05) (forced expiratory volume at 0.05 s) and FEV(0.10) were of limited usefulness for this purpose. The descending segment of the F-V curve consisted of two or three phases, with later phases shortened during bronchoconstriction. In conclusion, PEFR and FVC are optimal parameters for estimation of bronchoconstriction in rats. The decreases in PEFR and FVC may reflect constriction in large and smaller airways, respectively.
authors.affiliation: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Tokai University Hachioji Hospital, Hachioji, Tokyo, 192-0032, Japan. tetsuri@hachioji-hosp.tokai.ac.jp
authors.forename: Tetsuri
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kondo
authors.forename: Toshimori
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tanigaki
authors.forename: Chizuko
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tsuji
authors.forename: Hidehiro
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Watanabe
mesh_terms: D000402:Airway Obstruction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D000818:Animals; D016084:Bronchoconstriction; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D008168:Lung / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008449:Maximal Expiratory Flow-Volume Curves; D016210:Methacholine Chloride / Q000494:pharmacology; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D013147:Spirometry / Q000379:methods; D014797:Vital Capacity
chemical_list: D016210:Methacholine Chloride