Study of Experimental Organ Donation Models for Lung Transplantation

Experimental models are important tools for understanding the etiological phenomena involved in various pathophysiological events. In this context, different animal models are used to study the elements triggering the pathophysiology of primary graft dysfunction after transplantation to evaluate potential treatments. Currently, we can divide experimental donation models into two large groups: donation after brain death and donation after circulatory arrest. In addition, the deleterious effects associated with hemorrhagic shock should be considered when considering animal models of organ donation. Here, we describe the establishment of three different lung donation models (post-brain death donation, post-circulatory death donation, and post-hemorrhagic shock donation) and compare the inflammatory processes and pathological disorders associated with these events. The objective is to provide the scientific community with reliable animal models of lung donation for studying the associated pathological mechanisms and searching for new therapeutic targets to optimize the number of viable grafts for transplantation.

Modulation of Alveolar Macrophage Activity by Eugenol Attenuates Cigarette-Smoke-Induced Acute Lung Injury in Mice

This study investigates the role of eugenol (EUG) on CS-induced acute lung injury (ALI) and how this compound is able to modulate macrophage activity. C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 12 cigarettes/day/5days and treated 15 min/day/5days with EUG. Rat alveolar macrophages (RAMs) were exposed to CSE (5%) and treated with EUG. In vivo, EUG reduced morphological changes inflammatory cells, oxidative stress markers, while, in vitro, it induced balance in the oxidative stress and reduced the pro-inflammatory cytokine release while increasing the anti-inflammatory one. These results suggest that eugenol reduced CS-induced ALI and acted as a modulator of macrophage activity.

Eucalyptol reduces airway hyperresponsiveness in rats following cigarette smoke-exposed

BACKGROUND

Cigarette smoke is the major cause of airway inflammatory disease, including airway hyperresponsiveness. Eucalyptol (EUC), also named 1.8-cineole, is a monoterpenoid found in essential oil of medicinal plants, showing several biological effects.

HYPOTHESIS/PURPOSE

Based in the eucalyptol protective activity in respiratory diseases as asthma, our hypothesis is that eucalyptol is able to reduce the airway hyperresponsiveness and the respiratory mechanic parameters in rats exposed to cigarette smoke.

STUDY DESIGN

Wistar rats were divided into control and cigarettes smoke (CS) groups. CS group was daily subjected to cigarette smoke and treated by inhalation for 15 min/day with EUC (1 mg/mL) or vehicle during 30 days. After treatment, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was collected to analyze the inflammatory profile, and tracheal rings were isolated for evaluation of the airway smooth muscle hyperresponsiveness. Lung function was analyzed in vivo.

METHODS

The inflammatory profile was evaluated by optical microscopy performing total (Neubauer chamber) and differential leukocyte count (smear slides stained in H&E). The hyperresponsiveness was evaluated in tracheal rings contracted with potassium chloride (KCl) carbamoylcholine (CCh), or Barium chloride (BaCl₂) in presence or absence of nifedipine. The lung function (Newtonian resistance-R_N) was evaluated by bronco stimulation with methacholine (MCh).

RESULTS

BAL from CS group increased the influx of leukocyte, mainly neutrophils and macrophages compared to control group. EUC reduced by 71% this influx. The tracheal contractions induced by KCl, CCh or BaCl₂ were reduced by EUC in 59%, 42% and 26%, respectively. The last one was not different of nifedipine activity. Newtonian resistance (R_N) was also reduced in 37% by EUC compared to CS group. 
 CONCLUSION: EUC reduces the hyperresponsiveness and the airway inflammatory profile, recovering the lung function.