Effect of H₂S posttreatment on ventilator-induced lung injury.

<p>Mice spontaneously breathed air (control) or for 6 h, or they were mechanically ventilated with 12 ml/kg for 6 h either with air alone (6 h air) or air supplemented with 80 ppm H₂S (6 h H₂S). All other mice were first mechanically ventilated with air alone for 5, 3, or 1 h, followed by ventilation with 80 ppm H₂S for another 1, 3, or 5 h as indicated. Lung sections were stained with H&E. Representative pictures are shown for each experimental group as indicated (A). Alveolar wall thickness was measured (B) and ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) score was calculated (C). Data represent means ± SEM for n = 7/group. ANOVA (Tukey`s post hoc test), *<i>P</i><0.05 vs. control group; ^#<i>P</i><0.05 vs. 6h air vent group; ^&<i>P</i><0.05 vs. 5h air vent + 1h H₂S vent group; ⁺<i>P</i><0.05 vs. 3h air vent + 3h H₂S vent group; °<i>P</i><0.05 vs. 1h air vent + 5h H₂S vent group.