ABSTRACT
Pulmonary fibrosis can be induced by injecting various forms of crystalline silica, the most commonly used being quartz. The toxic nature of the actual silica component of inhaled mixed dusts is often masked by other factors such as cigarette smoking or pulmonary infections, especially tuberculosis, which complicates the pulmonary pathology. Silicotic nodules have been produced in a variety of animals such as mice, rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits. The main consideration in preparing the sample for intratracheal injection is the liquid volume that can reasonably be injected to the lungs of small animals. The cellular component of the bronchoalveolar lavage provides ample material for similar studies during the development of fibrosis. Information on lung injury can also be obtained from biochemical analysis of the lavage fluid. Durgs that specifically inhibit collagen deposition have been used experimentally in various models of pulmonary fibrosis.
