Fig. 6.

Measurement of arterial blood gases and respiratory mechanics. Assessment of pulmonary gas exchange capability and respiratory mechanics from rats treated with HCl/LPS-30 at 24, 48, and 72 h postinstillation. As control, rats were intratracheally instilled with saline. A and B: effect of HCl/LPS-30 on PaO₂/FiO₂ ratio and PaCO₂, respectively. C and D: effect of HCl/LPS-30 on the static lung compliance and plateau pressure, respectively. Data from three independent experiments are reported as mean values ± SE. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001, significant differences between rats treated with saline/saline and rats treated with HCl and LPS at 30 μg/g body wt per each time point.