The Senile Lung

Verbeken, Erik; Cauberghs, M.; Mertens, Ingrid; Clement, Jacques; Lauweryns, Joseph M.; Woestijne, K. P. Van de

doi:10.1378/chest.101.3.800

Cited by 97 publications

(34 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Patients with WBS have also been purported to exhibit accelerated signs of aging such as premature cataracts, gray hair, and presbycusis [Cherniske 2004]. “Senile emphysema”, which is distinct from the normal aging lung [Verbeken 1992a; Verbeken 1992b], may be a part of the spectrum of premature aging in these individuals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pulmonary function and emphysema in Williams–Beuren syndrome

Wan

Pober

Washko

et al. 2010

American J of Med Genetics Pt A

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Williams-Beuren Syndrome (WBS) is caused by a submicroscopic deletion on chromosome 7q11.23 that encompasses the entire elastin (ELN) gene. Elastin, a key component of elastic fibers within the lung, is progressively destroyed in emphysema. Defects in the elastin gene have been associated with increased susceptibility towards developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emphysema in both humans and mice. We postulate that hemizygosity at the elastin gene locus may increase susceptibility towards the development of COPD and emphysema in subjects with WBS. We describe an adult subject with WBS who was a lifelong non-smoker and was found to have moderate emphysema. We also examined the pulmonary function of a separate cohort of adolescents and young adults with WBS. Although no significant spirometric abnormalities were identified, a significant proportion of subjects reported respiratory symptoms. Thus while significant obstructive disease does not appear to be common in relatively young adults with WBS, subclinical emphysema and lung disease may exist which possibly could worsen with advancing age. Further investigation may elucidate the pathogenesis of non-smoking related emphysema.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pulmonary function and emphysema in Williams–Beuren syndrome

Wan

Pober

Washko

et al. 2010

American J of Med Genetics Pt A

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“…Oakes et al [ 23 ] used MRI-based data. Moreover, human aged lungs were studied by [ 24 , 25 ]. Xia et al [ 26 ] used a fluid-structure interaction method to simulate the flow and airway wall stiffness.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aging effects on airflow dynamics and lung function in human bronchioles

et al. 2017

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Background and objectiveThe mortality rate for patients requiring mechanical ventilation is about 35% and this rate increases to about 53% for the elderly. In general, with increasing age, the dynamic lung function and respiratory mechanics are compromised, and several experiments are being conducted to estimate these changes and understand the underlying mechanisms to better treat elderly patients.Materials and methodsHuman tracheobronchial (G1 ~ G9), bronchioles (G10 ~ G22) and alveolar sacs (G23) geometric models were developed based on reported anatomical dimensions for a 50 and an 80-year-old subject. The aged model was developed by altering the geometry and material properties of the model developed for the 50-year-old. Computational simulations using coupled fluid-solid analysis were performed for geometric models of bronchioles and alveolar sacs under mechanical ventilation to estimate the airflow and lung function characteristics.FindingsThe airway mechanical characteristics decreased with aging, specifically a 38% pressure drop was observed for the 80-year-old as compared to the 50-year-old. The shear stress on airway walls increased with aging and the highest shear stress was observed in the 80-year-old during inhalation. A 50% increase in peak strain was observed for the 80-year-old as compared to the 50-year-old during exhalation. The simulation results indicate that there is a 41% increase in lung compliance and a 35%-50% change in airway mechanical characteristics for the 80-year-old in comparison to the 50-year-old. Overall, the airway mechanical characteristics as well as lung function are compromised due to aging.ConclusionOur study demonstrates and quantifies the effects of aging on the airflow dynamics and lung capacity. These changes in the aging lung are important considerations for mechanical ventilation parameters in elderly patients. Realistic geometry and material properties need to be included in the computational models in future studies.

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“…Since pulmonary emphysema is characterized by enlargement of the airspace and loss of the lung elastic recoil, which can be differentiated from senile lung by the presence of alveolar wall destruction [8, 9], we originally speculated that the FHR might be an ideal model for studies of either emphysema or senile lung. Thus, the original purposes of this study were to further examine the structural and functional changes in the FHR lungs and to investigate the influences of aging and alveolar wall destruction on this process.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Distal Airspace Enlargement in the Fawn-Hooded Rat: Influences of Aging and Alveolar Wall Destruction

Morio

Matsushima²,

Takahashi³

et al. 2001

Respiration

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Background: A recent study has revealed that the peripheral airspace in the lungs of the fawn-hooded rat (FHR) is enlarged. However, morphological and functional factors of the FHR lung have not been fully investigated. Objective: The purpose of our study was to examine the structural and functional changes in the FHR lung and to investigate the influence of aging on this process. Furthermore, morphological and functional measurements of the lungs of FHRs (4–48 weeks of age) were performed and the results compared with those of age-matched Wistar control rats (WCRs). Methods: All animals were studied under controlled conditions, and morphological and functional changes of the lungs were examined. Measurements of body and lung weights were recorded, and the lungs were subjected to morphological evaluation. Morphological measurements: mean linear intercept (MLI) and destructive index were determined. Functional evaluation of the lungs: total lung capacity, pressure-volume curve, and exponential constant (K) which describes the shape of the curve were analyzed. In addition, right ventricular hypertrophy measurements were performed to assess the severity of pulmonary hypertension. Statistical analysis was performed using the unpaired t test, analysis of variance, and the Fisher post hoc test (p < 0.05). Results: Morphological analysis revealed a significant increase in airspace size (MLI) in all FHRs as compared with the WCRs which was evident from an early age (4 weeks). The increase in MLI did not progress age dependently in the FHR, whereas a tendency for an age-dependent increase in MLI was observed in the WCR. The destructive index measurements revealed that the increase in MLI of FHR was not accompanied by alveolar wall destruction. Concerning the functional examination, a leftward and upward shift of the pressure-volume curve was observed in the FHRs as compared with the WCRs at all ages. As compared with the WCRs, a higher K value was observed in all FHRs which was evident from an early age (4 weeks). Age-dependent changes similar to those in MLI were observed in the K in both rat strains. Conclusions: The results of our study suggest that FHRs manifest characteristics of distal airspace enlargement accompanied by increased lung distensibility without alveolar wall destruction at an early age and that the changes do not progress age dependently. Neither an accelerated aging process nor destruction of the alveolar walls appears to be the mechanism responsible for the enlarged airspace in this rat strain.

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The Senile Lung

Cited by 97 publications

References 26 publications

Pulmonary function and emphysema in Williams–Beuren syndrome

Pulmonary function and emphysema in Williams–Beuren syndrome

Aging effects on airflow dynamics and lung function in human bronchioles

Distal Airspace Enlargement in the Fawn-Hooded Rat: Influences of Aging and Alveolar Wall Destruction

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