EFFECT OF RADICAL SCAVENGERS AND HYPERBARIC-OXYGEN ON SMOKE-INDUCED PULMONARY-EDEMA

Stewart RJ, Mason SW, Taira MT, Hasson GE, Naito MS, Yamaguchi KT. Eff ect of radical scavengers and hyperbaric oxygen on smoke-induced pulmo nary edema. Undersea and Hyperbaric Med 1994; 21(1):21-30.-Respiratory complications, especially pulmonary edema, account for over 50% of mo rtalities in inhalation injuries. This study was conducted to determin e the effect of free radical scavengers and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) in vivo on reducing pulmonary edema. Adult New Zealand rabbits were allo wed to breath cooled, cotton smoke until a significant inhalation lung injury was produced. Five percent of body weight lactated Ringer's so lution was then administered i.v. over 2 h. The following free radical scavengers were given as bolus infusions at the beginning of fluids r esuscitation: superoxide dismutase, catalase, butylated hydroxytoluene /piperonyl butoxide, and mannitol. At the completion of fluid administ ration, half of the subjects were given HBO treatment. Pulmonary edema was then measured as extravascular lung water and wet/dry lung weight . Results indicate that free radical scavengers or HBO reduce pulmonar y edema. Free radical scavengers in conjunction with HBO showed no sig nificant improvement over HBO or free radical scavengers alone.