Objective: To establish the animal model of lung injury caused by hydrochloric acid in rats, measure the alveolar fluid clearance (AFC) in different acidic condition.
Methods: 32 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups which were control group (pH = 7.4) and HCl groups (pH = 7.0, 4.5, 2.5). The animals were anesthetized and ventilated for 1 hour. Blood gas analysis was performed, then the permeability of lung epithelial barrier and AFC were measured.
Results: The permeability of lung epithelial barrier, PaO(2) and AFC of pH 7.0 group were similar to control group (P > 0.05), but declined in pH 4.5 and 2.5 groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: The alveolar epithelium and the alveolar epithelial barrier are resistant to the injurious effects of acid, but high concentration acid can induce damage.