Is the function of alveolar macrophages altered following blunt chest trauma?
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to characterize the local pulmonary inflammatory environment and to elucidate alterations of alveolar macrophage (AMØ) functions after blunt chest trauma. METHODS: Wistar rats were subjected to blunt chest trauma. AMØ were isolated, stimulated, and cultured. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was collected. Cytokines/chemokines were quantified in the BAL and in AMØ supernatants via ELISA. AMØ phagocytic and chemotactic activity and respiratory burst capacity were assessed. RESULTS: Following chest trauma, a significant increase of IL-1beta (at 6 and 24 h) and IL-6 (at 24 h) in BAL was observed, whereas IL-10 and TNF-alpha concentrations were not altered. MIP-2 and CINC were substantially increased as early as 6 h and PGE2 early at 10 min, whereas BAL MCP-1 was not elevated until 24 h after trauma. MIP-2 release by AMØ isolated form trauma animals was markedly increased as early as 10 min after injury. IL-1beta and IL-10 exhibited a late increase at 24 h
