Effects of Acute Exposure to Nitro-butene Vapor on Ventilatory Functions of the Rabbits

Abstract

Anesthetized, tracheotomized, artificially ventilated rabbits were exposed to 1.5 ppm and 3.6 ppm of nitrobutene vapor for 3 hours. During the exposure, respiratory mechanics, quasi-static volume-pressure curve of lung and flow-volume curve were successively measured. No significant change in ventilatory functions was observed in the exposure to the lower concentration. The exposure to 3.6 ppm of nitro-butene vapor resulted in a stimulation of the airway secretion and a significant reduction in peak flow and maximum flow at 50% vital capacity on the flow-volume curve without any noticeable changes in other functional parameters. This result suggests that nitro-butene vapor affects the rigidity of the airways thus producing decreased flow during forced expiration.