Pentoxifylline reduces pulmonary leucostasis and improves capillary patency in a rabbit peritonitis model
Tighe, D.; Moss, R.; Heath, M.F.; Hynd, J.; Bennett, E.D.
Circulatory Shock 28(2): 159-164
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0092-6213 PMID: 2736727 Document Number: 331326
This study examines the changes in pulmonary leucostasis and capillary ultrastructure in 18 rabbits divided into three groups. Those in the first group were sham operated, and those in the second and third groups underwent peritonitis induction; those in the latter group were treated with pentoxifylline (PFT). White blood cells (WBC) were counted, and tissue area, total capillary area, and capillary patency were measured from electron micrographs of lung tissue. Pulmonary WBCs were 1.2 per unit field in the sham group, 9.7 in the test group (P < 0.001 compared with sham), and 2.5 in the PFT group (P < 0.001 compared with sham). Capillary patency was 53 .+-. 5% in the sham group, 12 .+-. 4% (P < 0.001 compared with sham) in the test group, and 24 .+-. 2% (P <0.001 compared with sham) in the PTF group. Pentoxifylline treatment attenuates pulmonary elucostasis, pulmonary capillary occlusion, and endothelial and epithelial damage associated with peritonitis in rabbits. This study shows that PTE warrants investigation into its potential protective effects on the lungs in clinical sepsis.