GB2379608A

GB2379608A - Liquid ventilation for the removal of chemicals

Info

Publication number: GB2379608A
Application number: GB0122499A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kaizen Matsumoto
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-09-18
Filing date: 2001-09-18
Publication date: 2003-03-19
Also published as: GB0122499D0

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of removing lipophilic chemicals dissolved in the cellular membranes of the pulmonary tissue by use of the method known as liquid ventilation in which a breathable liquid capable of dissolving gases is added to the lung to allow respiration even though the lung has liquid in it. The lipophilic nature of the breathable liquids allows them to dissolve lipophilic chemicals, thus allowing for passive partitioning of lipophilic chemicals between the lipophilic environment of the cellular membranes and the breathable liquid. Continued liquid ventilation allows chemicals to be leached from the cellular membranes and removed from the pulmonary tissue. The preferred agent is perflubron (perfluorooctylbromide).

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO THE REMOVAL OF CHEMICALS The invention relates to the use of liquid ventilation for the removal of chemicals from cellular membranes of the lung tissue.

It is known that chemicals of a lipophilic nature can accumulate in the hydrophobic environment of the cellular membranes. Many of the chemicals known to contribute to the risk of cancer are of a lipophilic nature. Some of the chemicals in tobacco smoke are known to be lipophilic in nature, in that they are poorly soluble in water. It is known that some of these chemicals, for instance the class of compounds known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, are very poorly soluble in water. Experiments to find out the mechanism of how these chemicals enter the cells have shown that they partition passively into the membranes of cells. This passive partitioning is related to their lipophilic nature. This passive diffusion is a process of passive partitioning governed by the relative volumes and solubility properties of the various environments within the lungs.

Accumulated chemicals in the membranes constitute a reservoir of carcinogenic potential, in that they may eventually be activated by the detoxifying mechanisms of the body, into carcinogens, or co-carcinogens.

These accumulated chemicals are known to stay in the body for years even after cessation of smoking.

In view of this accumulated residual reservoir of carcinogenic chemicals, the present invention discloses a method of removing a fraction of the chemicals by the method of liquid ventilation. Liquid ventilation may be performed with a large number of liquids such as

perfluorocarbons, silicone liquids, saline, vegetable oils. Many of the chemicals used for liquid ventilation are of a lipophilic nature, this intrinsic property allows them to be solvents for other lipophilic chemicals.

The main environmental risk factor associated with lung cancer is the inhalation of tobacco smoke. Tobacco smoke is a complex mixture of chemicals and particulate matter. The carbonaceous particles that collect within the lung tissue carry dissolved chemicals within them.

These chemicals rapidly dissolve into the mucous lining layer of the lungs, and can then dissolve into the cellular membranes. Once in the cellular membranes Lhey may reside for several years before being removed.

Within tobacco smoke there are several chemicals which are known to be carcinogenic, they may include procarcinogens, co-carcinogens or carcinogens.

Pro-carcinogens need to be enzymatically activated by the bodies detoxifying enzymes before they become carcinogenic. Co-carcinogens may only increase the risk of cancer when present with other chemicals or carcinogenic agents. Carcinogens can have direct mutational effects as soon as they come in contact with cellular DNA.

In the liquid ventilation described a breathable liquid capable of dissolving gases is added to the lung to allow respiration even though the lung has liquid in it. The lipophilic nature of the breathable liquids allows them to dissolve lipophilic chemicals, thus allowing for passive partitioning of lipophilic chemicals between the lipophilic environment of the cellular membranes and the breathable liquid. Continued liquid

ventilation allows chemicals to be leached from the cellular membranes and removed from the pulmonary tissue.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. The use of liquid ventilation for the removal of chemicals from the cellular membranes of the pulmonary, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles or alveoli tissue.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid ventilation is performed with a liquid selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbon liquids or saline or silicone liquids or vegetable oils and combinations thereof.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid ventilation is performed with perfluorooctylbromide.
4 U 4 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid ventilation is performed with perfluorodecalin.
5. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilating liquid is heated to above body temperature.
6. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid ventilation is tidal.
7. The method of any of the preceding claims, wherein the liquid ventilation is partial.
8. A method for the removal of chemicals resident in the pulmonary cellular membranes, the method comprising the step of introducing a breathable liquid into the lung of the patient, the said liquid being capable of use as a liquid ventilating medium.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of heating the said breathable liquid prior to this introduction into the lung.
10. The method of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the said breathable liquid is chosen from the group consisting of perfluorocarbon/fluorocarbon or

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silicone liquids, vegetable oils, saline and combinations thereof.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the perfluorocarbon liquid is perfluorooctylbromide.
12. A method for the removal or extraction of lipophilic chemicals from the pulmonary cellular membranes using liquid ventilation or breathable liquids.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein said liquid ventilation is tidal.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein said liquid ventilation is partial.
15. The method of any of claims 12 to 14, wherein said liquid ventilation is performed with a liquid chosen from the group consisting of fluorocarbon or silicone liquids, vegetable oils, saline or combinations thereof.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein said fluorocarbon is perfluorooctylbromide.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein said fluorocarbon is perfluorodecaline.
18. The method of any of claims 12 to 17, wherein the breathable liquid is heated to above body temperature.
19. The method of any of claims 12 to 18, wherein the liquid is removed.