Aim: To evaluate different intratracheal flow rates on extracellular matrix content and lung mechanics in an established lung decellularization protocol.
Materials & methods: Healthy mice were used: 15 for decellularization and five to serve as controls. Fluids were instilled at 5, 10 and 20 ml/min flow rates through tracheal cannula and right ventricular cavity (0.5 ml/min) in all groups.
Results: The 20 ml/min rate better preserved collagen content in decellularized lungs. Elastic fiber content decreased at 5 and 10 ml/min, but not at 20 ml/min, compared with controls. Chondroitin, heparan and dermatan content was reduced after decellularization.
Conclusion: An intratracheal flow rate of 20 ml/min was associated with lower resistance and greater preservation of collagen to that observed in ex vivo control lungs.
Keywords: decellularization; extracellular matrix; intratracheal flow rate; lung transplantation; scaffold; tissue engineering.