Lungs elastance

Bartlett, D., Jr., C. S. Faulkner, II, and K. Cook. Effect of chronic ozone exposure on lung elasticity in young rats. J. Appl. Physiol. 37 92-%, 1974. 

Emphysema. Emphysema is one disease where the linkage between proteolysis and the disease is fairly well understood. Pulmonary emphysema is a disease characterized by a progressive loss of lung elasticity due to the destruction of lung elastin and alveoli. Respiration becomes increasingly difficult and death often results. 

Although lung elasticity naturally decreases with age, smoking increases the rate of decline and giving up smoking slows this deterioration. 

Normal expiration is a passive process, and when the inspiratory muscles end their contraction, the elastic recoil of the lung pulls the lung back to its original size and shape. This process makes the alveolar pressure positive relative to the pressure at the mouth, and air flows out of the lung. During inspiration, the respiratory muscles must overcome the elastic properties of the lung (elastic recoil) and the resistance to airflow by the airways. During expiration, the flow of air is determined primarily by the elastic recoil and airway resistance. 

Compliance is defined as the change in volume produced by a unit change in lung elastic recoil pressure and is the most commonly measured index of the elastic properties of the lung. Elastic recoil pressure is the difference between the pressure in the alveolus and the pressure in the pleural space (intrapleural pressure). 

Bronchoconstriction, inflammation and loss of lung elasticity are the three most common processes that result in bronchial obstruction. Therapy for obstructive limg disease is aimed at preventing or reversing these processes. 

Reduction in lung elastic recoil to support peripheral airways, which contributes to au increased residual volume aud FRC (Figs. 5 and 6). Diminished chest wall compliance. 

Maritz GS, Woolward K. Effect of maternal nicotine exposure on neonatal lung elastic tissue and possible consequences. S Afr Med J 1992, 81 517-519. 

Ventilatory function begins to decline after the 20s, with slow but regular loss of lung elasticity and thoracic joint flexibility and loss of cartilage, pulmonary muscle weakening, and a decreased number of alveoli. 

Elastin is synthesized by fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells. Elasticity in the tissue is given by elastin (Ardelt 1964). Tissues dependent on a great degree of elasticity are, e.g., blood vessels, lung, elastic ligaments, bladder, and skin. 

Baldi S, Miniati M, Beilina CR et al. (2001) Relationship between extent of pulmonary emphysema by high-resolution computed tomography and lung elastic recoil in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 164 585-589... 

Bode FR, Dosman J, Martin RR, Gheo H, Macklem PT. Age and sex differences in lung elasticity and in closing capacity in nonsmokers. J Appl Physiol 1976 41 129-135. 

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