Vol. 92, Issue 1, 279-287, January 2002
Lung albumin accumulation is spatially heterogeneous but not
correlated with regional pulmonary perfusion
Anthony J.
Gerbino1 and
Robb W.
Glenny1,2
Departments of 1 Medicine and 2 Physiology and
Biophysics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195
10.1152/japplphysiol.00353.2001.
The contribution of pulmonary
perfusion heterogeneity to the development of regional differences in
lung injury and edema is unknown. To test whether regional differences in pulmonary perfusion are associated with regional differences in microvascular function during lung injury, pigs were
mechanically ventilated in the prone position and infused with
endotoxin (Escherichia coli 055:B5, 0.15 µg · kg
1 · h1;
n = 8) or saline (n = 4) for 4 h.
Extravascular albumin accumulation and perfusion were measured in
multiple ~0.7-ml lung regions by injecting pigs with radiolabeled
albumin and radioactive microspheres, respectively. Extravascular
albumin accumulation was spatially heterogeneous but not correlated
with regional perfusion. Extravascular albumin accumulation was greater
in dorsal than ventral regions, and regions with similar albumin
accumulation were spatially clustered. This spatial organization was
less evident in endotoxemic than control pigs. We conclude that there
are regional differences in lung albumin accumulation that are
spatially organized but not mediated by regional differences in
pulmonary perfusion. We speculate that regional differences in
microvascular pressure or endothelial function may account for the
observed distribution of extravascular albumin accumulation.
blood flow; interstitial; lipopolysaccharide
