A new model of severe neurogenic pulmonary edema in spinal cord injured rat

Neurosci Lett. 2007 Aug 16;423(2):167-71. doi: 10.1016/j.neulet.2007.06.053. Epub 2007 Aug 3.

Abstract

We describe a new model of neurogenic pulmonary edema in spinal cord injured Wistar male rats. The pulmonary edema was elicited by an epidural thoracic balloon compression spinal cord lesion, performed under a low concentration of isoflurane (1.5 or 2%) in air. Anesthesia with 1.5% isoflurane promoted very severe interstitial and intraalveolar neurogenic pulmonary edema with a significantly increased thickness of the alveolar walls and massive pulmonary hemorrhage. In this group, 33% of animals died. Anesthesia with 2% isoflurane promoted severe interstitial and intraalveolar neurogenic pulmonary edema with less thickening of the alveolar walls and pulmonary hemorrhage. For evoking severe neurogenic pulmonary edema in spinal cord injured rats, 2% isoflurane anesthesia would be more suitable. However, if very severe neurogenic pulmonary edema needs to be evoked, spinal cord injury under 1.5% isoflurane anesthesia could be used, but one-third of the animals will be lost.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anesthetics, Inhalation / administration & dosage*
  • Animals
  • Disease Models, Animal*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Isoflurane / administration & dosage*
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Edema / etiology*
  • Pulmonary Edema / pathology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar
  • Spinal Cord Injuries / complications*

Substances

  • Anesthetics, Inhalation
  • Isoflurane