Lecithin Synthesis in Lungs.
Abstract
The objective was to study effects of oxygen exposure upon production and properties of lung surfactant. Compared with air-exposed controls, rabbits exposed to oxygen for 72 hr showed weight loss and an increase of approximately one pH unit in saline lung washings by in vitro lavage. Two phospholipid moieties were separated from the lavage by density-gradient centrifugation. Of these, the quantity of layer A (top) decreased to one-half, while layer B increased two- to four-fold upon oxygen exposure. Small differences were found in the distribution of specific fatty acids of layer A or layer B with oxygen exposure, resulting in a greater degree of unsaturation. Palmitate-1-14C specific activity appeared rapidly in lung lipids and more slowly in surfactant phospholipids; both were decreased by oxygen exposure. Surfactant film-balance measurements showed non-surface-active contaminants in the lecithin isolated from layer B. Oxygen exposure resulted in marked changes in the surface properties of phospholipid fractions. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0730277
Entities
People
- Anthony M. Gross
- Hugh J. O'neill
- Willis H. Riesen
Organizations
- IIT Research Institute