ABSTRACT
This chapter describes experimental model of pulmonary fibrosis induced by a single intratracheal injection of bleomycin into the lungs of hamsters. The major cytotoxic action of bleomycin is inhibition of deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis. Based on the clinical observation of pulmonary toxicity, a number of investigators have utilized bleomycin to produce pulmonary fibrosis in a variety of animal species. For biochemical analysis of less abundant lung components, the availability of a large amount of starting material may outweigh cost considerations. Anesthesia is preferable to induce only mild anesthesia in the animal so that strong respiratory drive is maintained. As with the bleomycin-treated animals, tracheostomies are performed and 0.2 ml of sterile saline is instilled into the lungs. With regard to histological stains, hematoxylin-eosin or hematoxylin-phloxine-safran are useful for general examination of cellular relationships. Collagen synthesis is expressed as counts per minute per milligram dry lung or as counts per minute per lung.
