P1099

         Physiol Bohemoslov 1975;24(6):559-63

        Lung function in acute paraquat intoxication.

        Vízek M, Holuša R, Paleček F.

        Functional and morphological examination of the lungs was performed in

        rats 48 hours after intratracheal injection of 0.5 mg/kg of the

        herbicide paraquat. Pronounced tachypnoea was observed (23520 c/min),

        which also persisted under urethane anaesthesia (21018 c/min). In

        control rats the mean breathing rate was 11511 and 909 c/min in

        wake and anaesthetized rats respectively. The rate of breathing

        decreased to comparable values in experimental and control rats after

        bilateral cervical vagotomy. The functional residual lung capacity was

        significantly increased in experimental rats. After vagotomy also this

        increase of functional residual capacity became normalized.

        Histologically the disease was characterized by focal formation of

        hyaline membranes and oedema with occasional haemorrhages and signs of

        inflammation. The significant role fo vagal function in lung pathology

        is demonstrated.