Ciência Animal Brasileira (Oct 2010)
ESTIMATIVA DO VOLUME DE FLUIDO EPITELIAL PULMONAR RECUPERADO NO LAVADO BRONCOALVEOLAR NO EQUINO
Abstract
Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) is a widespread technique that allows collection of pulmonary epithelial lining fluid (PELF) and evaluation of integrity of the lower airways. The instillation of isotonic solution needed for collection results in significant dilution of the PELF. Due to its ability to freely cross biologic membranes urea is commonly used as a marker of PELF dilution. Nevertheless, the previously established methodology is difficult to be reproduced, especially since it utilizes reagents and equipments that are difficult to obtain. The objective of this study was to describe a methodology for measuring urea utilizing a commercial kit (Ureia UVLabTest®). Paired samples of blood and BALF were obtained from 18 adult horses. A standard curve of known urea dilutions in equine BALF provided a linear regression equation that allowed calculation of unknown urea concentrations in BALF samples. The mean estimated PELF volume was 0.52±0.12mL. The mean PELF percentage in relation to recovery BALF was 0.39±0.08%. These results are compatible with the ones previously described, demonstrating that the methodology presented here produced reliable results and can be utilized to estimate the PELF volume and consequently calculate concentration or activity of components or substances of interest.
