Mast cells and pathological process in lungs of rats and mice

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the number of mast cells in healthy and affected lungs of mice and rats and determine histopathological differences of the inflammatory process in the lungs of rats and mice. The lungs of healthy and affected laboratory mice (n = 80) and rats (n = 80) were used for the studies. The histpathological examination of HE slides was performed. The number of mast cells in healthy and affected lungs of mice and rats was calcaluted in Giemsa stained slides. The number of connective tissue mast cells in healthy animals and in areas of lymphoid hyperplasia and bronchiectasis was significantly higher in rats than in mice. Interstitial pneumonia with bronchiolitis and bronchiectasis and atelectasis was more expressed in rats (P = 0.006-0.025) than in mice. Lymphoid tissue hyperplasia in the lungs of mice was found much more intense than in rats (P = 0.011). In affected laboratory mice and rats Mycoplasma pulmonis was identified. Interstitial pneumonia with bronchiolitis and bronchiectasis and atelectasis were more pronounced in rats. In our opinion, because healthy rats have more mast cells in the connective lung tissue and developed more severe pneumonia, they had a higher response of mast cells to the inflammatory process compared to mice. There was a more intense lymphocytic response in the lungs of mice.