Analysis of type II pneumocyte protection by pneumoplegic solutions. An experimental in vitro study of lung preservation for transplantation

With the aim of studying the physiopathological mechanism of lung preservation, we have valued the Pneumocytes Type II viability after six hours of incubation at 4 degrees C in extracellular (Ringer Lactate) and intracellular (Collins, Euro-Collins and Belzer) solutions. The cells have been cut off from adult rat's lung using the modified Dobbs' method. Alveolar Type II viability have been valued using two methods: the total protein content in each culture and the metabolic function of the cells using the rate of protein synthesis by means of 35 S methionine uptake assay. The results have demonstrated a significant difference (p < 0.05) using extracellular solution instead of intracellular. Besides, we have observed a better Pneumocytes Type II survival during Belzer's solution incubation comparing with Collins and Euro-Collins (p < 0.05). Pneumocytes type II require for a better preservation a specific solution that must be similar to extracellular fluid and added with substances able to minimize noxious events during preservation.