Association of IL,-8 and MCP-1 with the development of reexpansion pulmonary edema in rabbits

Background. The aim of this study is to determine the relationships between the cytokines and the inflammatory response in reexpansion pulmonary edema (RPE). Methods. We examined the cell population, epithelial permeability measured by Evans blue dye (EB), beta glucuronidase and cytokine concentrations in b ronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and/or blood using a rabbit RPE model. Results. We confirmed that RPE is characterized by recruitment of polymorph onuclear leukocytes (PMNs), the release of PMN granular contents into the a ir spaces, and increased vascular permeability. These findings were highly correlated with increased interleukin-8 (IL-8) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) concentrations in the BALF. Growth related oncogene (GRO ) was detected in the BALF from only 2 of the 7 reexpanded lungs while TNF alpha was not detected in any rabbits. A similar but less severe inflammato ry response to the reexpanded lung was found in the contralateral lung. Conclusions. IL-8 and MCP-1 may play important roles in the development of RPE; the inflammatory response is independent of TNF alpha and unilateral r eexpansion of the lung induces an inflammatory response not only in the ree xpanded lung but also in the contralateral lung.