Abstract #1346

Quintana H, Cannet C, Zurbruegg S, Mazzoni L, Fozard J, Page C, Beckmann N

Proton MRI was used to follow, in the rat lung, the effects of porcine pancreatic elastase challenge in a model of emphysema. Edematous signals seen 24h after intra-tracheal elastase administration completely resolved two weeks later. From this time point onwards, parenchymal signals were significantly reduced in several regions of the lung and an increase in lung volume observed, consistent with air trapping due to airspace enlargement and reduction in alveoli number revealed by histology. These data suggest that, in rats, emphysema is induced early following elastase. Treatment with all-trans-retinoic acid did not show a reversal of elastase induced effects.