[Pulmonary damage in the rabbit caused by porcine pancreatic elastase and leukocyte lysate: unusual microscopic aspects].

Intratracheal injection of rabbit whole leukocyte homogenate induced emphysema-like lesions in rabbits. The lesions were produced only by preparations having elastinolytic activity. The pathological aspects appeared similar to those induced by the administration of porcine pancreatic elastase. The pulmonary changes, resembling several of the anatomic appearances of panacinar human emphysema, may be a suitable experimental model for studying histogenesis of panacinar human emphysema. Numerous abnormal fenestrations were present in air spaces walls and were a constant feature in opposition to that has been reported in elastase-treated hamsters. For the presence of a prominent dilatation of the periarterial lymphatic network, this experimental model might be used also for studying the ultrastructural features of pulmonary lymphatic vessels.