A REVIEW OF THE EFFECTS OF BODY TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS ON RESPIRATORY MECHANICS: MEASUREMENTS BY THE END-INFLATION OCCLUSION METHOD IN THE RAT

摘要

The temperature of body fluids is expected to affect tissues mechanical properties, including respiratory system tissues. This is because of the changes in airway smooth muscle tone and contractile properties, influencing airway frictional resistance to airflow, and because of the temperature effects on the stress-strain relationships of elastin and collagen, which determinates the elastic behavior of the lungs as reflected by their pressure-volume relationship. Alveolar surfactant biological and physical properties have also been shown to be affected by temperature changes, suggesting influences on the respiratory system hysteretic properties.