Study of Exercise Intolerance and Systemic Effects in a Mouse Model of Emphysema
Author Information
Author(s): Lüthje Lars, Raupach Tobias, Michels Hellmuth, Unsöld Bernhard, Hasenfuss Gerd, Kögler Harald, Andreas Stefan
Primary Institution: Georg-August-Universität, Göttingen, Germany
Hypothesis
Severe pulmonary emphysema results in exercise intolerance and neurohumoral activation.
Conclusion
The elastase mouse model exhibited severe emphysema with consecutive exercise limitation and neurohumoral activation.
Supporting Evidence
- Emphysema mice lost body weight, while controls gained weight.
- Running distance was shorter in emphysema than in controls.
- Diaphragm muscle length was shorter in controls compared to emphysema.
- Maximum right ventricular pressure and norepinephrine were elevated in emphysema compared to controls.
- Linear correlations were observed between running distance changes and various physiological parameters.
Takeaway
Mice with emphysema had a hard time exercising and showed signs of stress in their bodies, helping us understand how this disease affects people.
Methodology
Female NMRI mice were treated with porcine pancreatic elastase or control solution, and various parameters including exercise tolerance and lung function were measured.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the use of a single strain of mice and the specific method of emphysema induction.
Limitations
No single animal model fully replicates human COPD; mouse lung structure differs from humans.
Participant Demographics
Female NMRI mice, body weight 20–25 g.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.0001
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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