Pulmonary clearance of inhaled 99mTc-DTPA: effects of surfactant depletion by lung lavage

The influence of surfactant depletion on clearance from the lungs of inhaled technetium-99m-labeled diethylenetriamine pentaacetate (99mTc-DTPA) was studied in rabbits. Surfactant was removed by repeated lung lavage with isotone saline. To minimize structural damage to the lungs, pressure generated insufflation with short expiration was utilized. Aerosolized 99mTc-DTPA was administered via a bag-in-bottle system. Radioactivity was measured with a gamma camera and time-activity curves were obtained over the base of the right lung. Six nonlavaged rabbits served as controls. In six lavaged rabbits clearance of 99mTc-DTPA was significantly faster than in controls. In three rabbits given natural surfactant into the trachea after lung lavage, 99mTc-DTPA was eliminated faster than in controls but slower than in surfactant-depleted animals. The results indicate a role of surfactant on clearance rate of 99mTc-DTPA from rabbit lungs. Measurements of 99mTc-DTPA clearance may be useful in studying the function of the surfactant system in different lung disorders.