The chronically reserpinized rat as a possible animal model for cystic fibrosis. IV. The protein composition of pulmonary lavage fluid.

Lung lavage samples obtained from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) had significantly 
higher levels of total protein per ml lavage fluid (0.49 vs. 
0.30 mg/ml). A significant increase in the absolute and relative amounts 
of a low molecular weight glycoprotein (15,000 mol wt) was noted 
in lavage specimens from CF patients. Reserpine-treated rats also showed a 
significant increase in the total protein recovered in the lung lavage 
fluid with a 233% increase in the absolute and relative amounts 
of a low molecular weight glycoprotein (15,000 mol wt). Thus, reserpine 
induced changes in the secretions of the lung of the rat 
which are similar to those observed in samples obtained from the 
lung of CF patients. 