Effects of methylprednisolone on resolution of acid-aspiration pneumonitis
S. Gates, T. Huang and F. W. Cheney
We studied the effects of methylprednisolone sodium succinate on the
pulmonary function of unanesthetized dogs for four days after aspiration of
1.5 to 2.0 mL/kg of 0.1N hydrochloric acid. Methylprednisolone sodium
succinate (30 mg/kg) was administered to nine dogs at 2, 8, and 24 hours
after acid aspiration. Nine animals were untreated after aspiration and
served as controls. Acid aspiration caused significant increases in venous
admixture and reductions in Pao2 in both groups of animals. These changes
persisted for 96 hours after aspiration. There were no differences in
cardiac output, venous admixture, and blood gas values between treated and
untreated animals at any time. At death there were no differences between
groups in amounts of lung water or histologic characteristics. We concluded
that methylprednisolone administered after hydrochloric acid aspiration
does not affect resolution of the injury.