Papain-induced experimental pulmonary emphysema in male and female mice.

•Papain-induced lung injury disclosed male and female differences in BALB/c mice.•Treated mice showed lung mechanical harm, oxidative stress, larger alveoli and FRC.•Treated mice had more inflammatory cells and reduced collagen and elastic fibers.•Treated males showed larger lung mechanical harm and FRC than females.•Treated females were more susceptible to oxidative stress than males.