Looking for a faster way to understand airway mechanics? This study introduces a novel method for quickly and accurately assessing airway distensibility in mice, a crucial parameter for understanding airway wall stiffening. The method aims to parse various elements contributing to airway wall stiffening, such as smooth muscle contraction, surface tension, and airway remodeling. This approach offers a valuable tool for respiratory research. The technique involves subjecting mouse lungs to stepwise pressure changes while measuring the impedance spectrum using oscillometry. By fitting the constant-phase model, researchers can deduce Newtonian conductance (GN), serving as an airway caliber surrogate. The change in GN relative to pressure is then used to determine the airway distensibility index. The study demonstrates that airway distensibility varies with sex and mouse strain and is sensitive to smooth muscle contraction. This new method offers a swift, reliable way to measure airway distensibility, making it a valuable asset for future studies on respiratory mechanics and disease.
Published in Annals of Biomedical Engineering, this research is relevant to the journal's focus on biomedical engineering and its applications in medicine. By introducing a new method for measuring airway distensibility in mice, the paper aligns with the journal’s content and offers a tool for biomedical researchers.