Abstract
ABSTRACT
We have developed a new experimental animal model, called the cross-ventilating rat model, for use in pharmaco- and toxicokinetic studies involving the inhalation of traceable agents. The model consists of two anesthetized rats interfaced in a manner so that the lower respiratory tract of one of the participants (Nasal Compartment Recipient, NCR) "breathes" through the nasal compartment of the other participant (Nasal Compartment Donor, NCD), with each of the animals being contained in a separate partial body flow plethysmograph. While in this configuration, the tidal volumes, breathing frequencies, minute ventilations, inspiratory and expiratory times, arterial blood pH, arterial oxygen and carbon dioxide tensions, dynamic lung compliances, and lung resistances of the NCD and NCR animals are closely similar to those of equivalently anesthetized intact animals. In terms of these criteria, the cross-ventilating rat model was found to be stable for at least three hours.
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