Bronchopulmonary Effects of Paraquat and Expectorants

Abstract

Pulmonary congestion developed in rats that have received an injection of paraquat and they manifested increased pulmonary resistance, decreased pulmonary compliance, decreased respiratory minute volume, and decreased pulmonary surfactant. All five expectorants including glyceryl guaiacolate administered orally in conjunction with the paraquat prevented the decrease in surfactant activity of lung extract. Anise oil and terpin hydrate prevented not only the decrease in surfactant activity but also the increase in pulmonary resistance. Ammonium chloride and potassium iodide, in addition to influencing the surfactant and pulmonary resistance, also prevented the decrease in pulmonary compliance induced by paraquat.