In vivo clearance of surfactant lipids during acute pulmonary inflammation.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

A decrease in pulmonary surfactant has been suggested to contribute to the lung dysfunction associated with pulmonary inflammation. A number of studies have implicated surfactant clearance as a possible mechanism for altered pool sizes. The objective of the current study was to specifically investigate the mechanisms of surfactant clearance in a rodent model of acute pulmonary inflammation.

METHODS:

Inflammation was induced by intrapulmonary instillation of lipopolysaccharide (LPS: 100 microg/kg). Lipid clearance was assessed at 18 and 72 hours post-LPS instillation by intratracheal administration of radiolabel surfactant-like liposomes 2 hours prior to isolation and analysis of inflammatory cells and type II cells.

RESULTS:

At both 18 and 72 hours after LPS instillation there was significantly less radioactivity recovered in the lavage fluid compared to respective control groups (p < 0.05). At both time points, the number of cells recovered by lavage and their associated radioactivity was greater compared to control groups (p < 0.01). There was no difference in recovery of radioactivity by isolated type II cells or other cells obtained from enzymatic digestion of lung tissue.

CONCLUSION:

These results show that increased clearance of surfactant lipids in our model of acute pulmonary inflammation is primarily due to the inflammatory cells recruited to the airspace and not increased uptake by alveolar type II cells.

• Authors: Jaret L Malloy, Jo Rae Wright
• Journal: Respiratory research (Respir Res) Vol. 5 Pg. 8 (Jul 23 2004) ISSN: 1465-993X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 15357882 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Lipopolysaccharides
• Pulmonary Surfactants

Topics

• Acute Disease
• Animals
• Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid (chemistry, cytology)
• Lipid Metabolism
• Lipopolysaccharides
• Male
• Metabolic Clearance Rate
• Pneumonia (chemically induced, metabolism, pathology)
• Pulmonary Alveoli (drug effects, metabolism, pathology)
• Pulmonary Surfactants (metabolism)
• Rats
• Rats, Sprague-Dawley