Respiratory mechanics evaluation of mice submitted to intravenous methacholine: Bolus vs. continuous infusion.

IMPACT STATEMENT: Respiratory mechanics studies are associated with fundamental research and translational studies; the present work thus investigates this particular matter. Our current research describes differences and similarities between two different ways of administrating a very prevalent bronchoconstrictor (methacholine) in an aging process scenario. The core issue of our work is related with troubles we find with the bolus protocol and the application of the mathematical model used to assess the respiratory mechanics. Our findings reveal the continuous infusion as an alternative to these problems and we hope to provide the proper foundations to a more reliable assessment in the respiratory field.