Morphological features and functional state of the pulmonary nitric oxide system in guinea pigs with experimental allergic alveolitis

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26641/1997-9665.2026.2.21-26

Keywords:

experimental allergic alveolitis, nitric oxide, stable metabolites of nitric oxide.

Abstract

The use of Freund’s complete adjuvant (FCA) is a versatile method for the experimental modelling of a wide range of immune-mediated and autoimmune disorders, including allergic alveolitis. Nitric oxide acts as a key regulator of metabolism and the immune response in such processes, exhibiting pronounced vasoactive, mediatory and cytotoxic activity. Due to the instability of the free radical NO, it is advisable to assess the functional state of this system by determining the levels of its stable metabolites (nitrites and nitrates) in biological substrates. The aim of the study is to determine the characteristics of the dynamics of morphological changes in the lungs and the levels of stable NO metabolites in an experimental model of allergic alveolitis (EAA). Methods. An experimental model of EAA was established in 39 guinea pigs weighing 180–230 g, which were administered 0.2 ml of Freund’s adjuvant intramuscularly into the hind leg. The experimental protocol involved six intravenous injections of 0.2 ml of an inactivated BCG vaccine suspension at 10-day intervals, starting from the 14th day after the initiation of immunisation. Results and conclusion. The results of morphological studies revealed a series of progressive changes in the microstructure of the lungs in EAA, which initially manifested as marked hyperaemia of the vascular bed and were subsequently accompanied by damage to the respiratory compartment in the form of thickening of the interalveolar septa, oedema of respiratory epithelial cells and macrophage infiltration. In later stages of the study, the formation of epithelioid granulomas was observed. Individual groups of alveoli in the pulmonary acini were in a state of atelectasis, indicating a local absence of the surfactant complex due to dysfunction of secretory alveolar cells. Biochemical analysis of lung tissue revealed elevated levels of nitric oxide (NO) derivatives, confirming its role as a pathogenetic link in the development and progression of immunopathological changes of the delayed-type hypersensitivity type, characteristic of experimental allergic alveolitis.

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Published

2026-05-29

How to Cite

Ivankiv , O., Dudok , O., & Regeda , M. (2026). Morphological features and functional state of the pulmonary nitric oxide system in guinea pigs with experimental allergic alveolitis. Морфологія / Morphologia / Morfologìâ, 20(2), 21–26. https://doi.org/10.26641/1997-9665.2026.2.21-26

Issue

Vol. 20 No. 2 (2026)

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Статті

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