Kinetics and determinants of the changes of CC16, a lung secretory protein in a rat model of toxic lung injury

Abstract

Purpose. To investigate the kinetics and the determinants of the changes of the Clara cell 16 kDa protein (CC16) as a marker of lung injury following exposure to different toxicants. Methods. Rats were treated with 4-Ipomeanol (IPO), alpha-naphtylthiourea (ANTU), sodium chromate (Na₂CrO₄) or paraquat-(PQ). The changes of CC16, total protein, albumin, and cystatin-C were determined on BALF supernatan, and CC16, cystatin-C and creatinine levels were also determined in serum. Results. Bronchiolar insult due to IPO or ANTU resulted in an initial transient increase of serum CC16, parallel to that of albumin in BALF, and a subsequent reduction in both BALF and serum. A slight reduction of CC16 in BALF was already apparent one hour following treatment with PQ. In the serum, CC16 increased to 400 % of basal value. With PQ and Na₂CrO₄, the elevation of CC16 was mainly determined by the degree of renal impairment.

Keywords: :

• Broncheo-alveolar lavage fluid
• Clara cell 16 kDa protein
• Renal Failure
• Toxic lung injury