Effects of retinoic acid on compensatory lung growth

Sami Karapolat¹ , Aydin Sanli¹ , Ahmet Onen¹ , Unal Acikel¹ and Oya Sivrikoz²

¹Department of Thoracic Surgery, Dokuz Eylul Medical School, Izmir, Turkey

²Department of Pathology, Sifa Hospital, Izmir, Turkey

author email corresponding author email

Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery 2008, 3:37doi:10.1186/1749-8090-3-37


Published:	30 June 2008

Abstract

Background

We investigated the effect of Retinoic acid in the growth of contralateral lung after pneumonectomy.

Methods

Twentyone adult male Wistar albino rats from the same colony were used. They were divided into three groups (Group A, B and C). Group A undergone only left posterolateral thoracotomy. In Group B and C, the rats were subjected to left posterolateral thoracotomy and left pneumonectomy. In Group C, rats were given intraperitoneal Retinoic acid during the operation and continued to be given everyday postoperatively. Rats were sacrificed on the 10^thday and their total body, right lung weights and right lung volumes were measured.

Results

The volume and weight indices of the lung were found to be higher in Group C. In histopathological examination, there was a reduction in the mean number of alveoli in Group B and C. A significant rise in the mean dimension and average wall thickness of the alveolar structure were determined in Group C.

Conclusion

Retinoic acid contributes to the compensatory growth of the residual lung tissue.