Investigating Cyclooxygenase Inhibition in a Rat Pulmonary Contusion Model: A Laboratory Study Finding No Improvement with Ibuprofen

Minimal advances have been made in the management of pulmonary contusions (PCs). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of cyclooxygenase inhibition on outcomes following PC in a rat model. PC was induced in anesthetized adult rats. Ibuprofen was given to the treatment group (TG) and water was given to the control group (CG). Lung injury was assessed with pulse oximetry, arterial blood gases, CT, and histopathologic examination. Inflammation was measured with both serum and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) levels of tumor necrosis factor a and interleukin-6. Rats in the TG did not differ from rats in the CG with respect to oxygenation. Pathologic examination demonstrated a trend toward more inflammatory infiltrate in the CG, yet the sizes of the contusions were larger in the TG. The CG trended toward decreased levels of interleukin-6 in the serum and BAL at both three and seven days. While BAL levels of tumor necrosis factor a were increased in the TG at three days compared to the CG, they trended toward a reduced amount at seven days. Our data do not support cyclooxygenase inhibition for treatment to decrease the respiratory compromise associated with PC in this model of rat PCs.