Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 63, Issue 3 1033-1039, Copyright © 1987 by American Physiological Society
Changes in lung glycosaminoglycans during postresectional lung growth
M. P. Mueller and L. A. Thet
Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina.
We studied changes in glycosaminoglycan content and concentration during
postresectional compensatory lung growth in adult male rats. After right
trilobectomy, left lung dry weight was normal at 4 days, increased 74%
between 4 and 7 days, and more slowly over the next week. Total
glycosaminoglycan content per milligram dry lung weight increased early and
rapidly, reaching 189% of the control value at 4 days postresection. The
magnitude and temporal pattern of increase was different for different
glycosaminoglycan subtypes. Hyaluronate and chondroitin sulfate content
were increased by 198 and 113%, respectively, at 4 days, with no further
increases subsequently. Heparan sulfate content increased more slowly and
steadily, and dermatan sulfate concentrations did not change. At 4 days,
the percent of total glycosaminoglycans that was hyaluronate was almost
doubled, whereas the percent that was heparan sulfate was decreased; by day
7 the percent compositions had returned to normal. We conclude that changes
in glycosaminoglycans occur early in postresectional lung growth and
speculate that they may play a facilitatory role.
