Vaporized perfluorocarbon confers protection against acute lung injury by inhibiting MMP-9 expression without protective effects in other organs.

OBJECTIVE

Vaporized perfluorocarbon (PFC) is a treatment for lung injury; this study investigated its mode of action and potential protective effects on other organs, which are unclear.

METHODS

Acute lung injury was induced by lung lavage with artificial seawater in 32 female New Zealand White rabbits. Animals received either conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV), positive end-expiratory pressure under CMV (PEEP), vaporized PFC ventilation, or positive end-expiratory pressure with vaporized PFC ventilation (PEEP+PFC). Histopathology of the lung, small intestine, liver and kidney were investigated. Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 mRNA levels in the lung were analysed.

RESULTS

Pathological injury of the lung was significantly alleviated in the PEEP, PFC and PEEP+PFC groups compared with the CMV group. Tissue damage in the liver, kidney and small intestine was similar between all groups. MMP-9 mRNA levels in the PEEP, PFC and PEEP+PFC groups were significantly lower than those in the CMV group.

CONCLUSIONS

Vaporized PFC ventilation can significantly alleviate lung injury but has no significant protective effect on other organs. Alleviation of lung injury may be associated with MMP-9 inhibition.