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Phospholipid molecular species of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid after local allergen challenge in asthma.

Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry was used to quantify phosphatidylcholine (PC) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) molecular species in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) from control and mild asthmatic subjects after local allergen challenge. BALF was obtained from 5 control and 13 asthmatic subjects before and 24 h after segmental allergen and saline challenge. There were no differences in the ratio of total PC to total PG or in the molecular species composition of PC or PG between the asthmatic and control groups under basal conditions. Allergen challenge in asthmatic but not in control volunteers caused a significant increase in the PC-to-PG ratio because of increased concentrations of PC species containing linoleic acid (16:0/18:2 PC, 18:0/18:2 PC, and 18:1/18:2 PC). These molecular species were characteristic of plasma PC analyzed from the same subjects, strongly suggesting that the altered PC composition in BALF in asthmatic subjects after allergen challenge was due to infiltration of plasma lipoprotein, not to catabolism of surfactant phospholipid. Interactions between surfactant and lipoprotein infiltrate may contribute to surfactant dysfunction and potentiate disease severity in asthma.

Allergens↗

Dependence of lung injury on surface tension during low-volume ventilation in normal open-chest rabbits.

To evaluate the role of pulmonary surfactant in the prevention of lung injury caused by mechanical ventilation (MV) at low end-expiratory volumes, lung mechanics and morphometry were assessed in three groups of eight normal, open-chest rabbits ventilated for 3-4 h at zero end-expiratory pressure (ZEEP) with physiological tidal volumes (Vt = 10 ml/kg). One group was left untreated (group A); the other two received surfactant intratracheally (group B) or aerosolized dioctylsodiumsulfosuccinate (group C) before MV on ZEEP. Relative to initial MV on positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP; 2.3 cmH(2)O), quasi-static elastance (Est) and airway (Rint) and viscoelastic resistance (Rvisc) increased on ZEEP in all groups. After restoration of PEEP, only Rint (124%) remained elevated in group A, only Est (36%) was significantly increased in group B, whereas in group C, Est, Rint, and Rvisc were all markedly augmented (274, 253, and 343%). In contrast, prolonged MV on PEEP had no effect on lung mechanics of eight open-chest rabbits (group D). Lung edema developed in group C (wet-to-dry ratio = 7.1), but not in the other groups. Relative to group D, both groups A and C, but not B, showed histological indexes of bronchiolar injury, whereas all groups exhibited an increased number of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in alveolar septa, which was significantly greater in group C. In conclusion, administration of exogenous surfactant largely prevents the histological and functional damage of prolonged MV at low lung volumes, whereas surfactant dysfunction worsens the functional alterations, also because of edema formation and, possibly, increased inflammatory response.

Animals↗

Thrombin/antithrombin III complex formation in the neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

Intravascular and intra-alveolar thrombin generation may exacerbate the pulmonary hypertension and surfactant dysfunction that characterize the neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). Although low levels of the most important thrombin inhibitor, antithrombin III (AT III), have been reported in infants with RDS, direct evidence of increased intravascular thrombin generation has been lacking. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to determine whether thrombin generation is increased in severe neonatal RDS. Thirty-nine infants of 25 to 29 wk gestation with a clinical and radiologic diagnosis of RDS were enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Plasma levels of thrombin/antithrombin III complexes (TAT) and AT III activity, measured 36 to 72 h after birth, were related to RDS severity. Seventeen infants had severe RDS (mean airway pressure greater than 10 cm H2O or FlO2 greater than 0.8), and 22 had mild or moderate disease. Mean birthweight (1,017 versus 1,054 g) and mean gestational age (27.8 versus 27.4 wk) were similar in both groups. The median TAT level in infants with severe RDS was significantly higher than that in patients with mild or moderate disease (10.7 and 4.0 micrograms/L, respectively; p less than 0.001). In addition, the mean AT III activity in infants with severe RDS was significantly lower than that in less severely affected patients (0.31 and 0.46 U/ml, respectively; p less than 0.01). Considering the entire cohort, plasma TAT levels were inversely correlated with the arterial/alveolar oxygen tension ratio (r = -0.48, p = 0.0022) and the ventilator efficiency index (r = -0.51, p = 0.0011). The elevated TAT levels and reduced AT III activity in infants with severe RDS are consistent with increased thrombin generation and resulting AT III consumption. Therefore, to regulate thrombin activity, these infants may benefit from replacement therapy with AT III concentrate.

Antithrombin III↗

[Pathogenetic mechanisms in acute respiratory failure in adults].

A large variety of mediators and mediator systems are involved in the pathogenesis of acute respiratory failure in adults, and the complexity of the syndrome should be considered in both prophylaxis and therapy. The locally accentuated and organ-related activation of several mediator systems over a long period of time is likely to be responsible for the irreversible damage to cells and tissue. Surfactant dysfunction or degradation, regardless of the cause, contributes to the pathophysiology of severe respiratory failure, and might be a common denominator in the pathogenesis of the syndrome. Cytokines from macrophages are important, since these mediators have the potential to convert a primarily functional and reversible systemic reaction into irreversible damage to specific organs.

Adult↗

Surfactant phospholipid changes after antigen challenge: a role for phosphatidylglycerol in dysfunction.

In asthma, inflammation-mediated surfactant dysfunction contributes to increased airway resistance, but the mechanisms for dysfunction are not understood. To test mechanisms that alter surfactant function, atopic asthmatics underwent endobronchial antigen challenge and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). BAL fluids were sequentially separated into cells, surfactant, and supernatant, and multiple end points were analyzed. Each end point's unique relationship to surfactant dysfunction was determined. Our results demonstrate that minimum surface tension (gamma(min)) of surfactant after antigen challenge was significantly increased with a spectrum of responses that included dysfunction in 6 of 13 asthmatics. Antigen challenge significantly altered the partitioning of surfactant phospholipid measured as a decreased ratio of large surfactant aggregates (LA) to small surfactant aggregates (SA), LA/SA ratio. Phosphatidylglycerol (PG) was significantly reduced in the LA of the dysfunctional asthmatic BALs. There was a corresponding significant increase in the ratio of phosphatidylcholine to PG, which strongly correlated with both increased gamma(min) and decreased LA/SA. Altered surfactant phospholipid properties correlated with surfactant dysfunction as well or better than either increased eosinophils or protein. Secretory phospholipase activity, measured in vitro, increased after antigen challenge and may explain the decrease in surfactant PG. In summary, alteration of phospholipids, particularly depletion of PG, in the LA of surfactant may be an important mechanism in asthma-associated surfactant dysfunction.

Allergens↗

Aerosolized medications for altering lung surface active properties.

Surface active material is important in the function of both the infant and adult lung. In the premature infant, surfactant depletion results in the requirement for very high distending pressures to open alveoli. As a consequence, shunt, hypoxemia, and right ventricular dysfunction occur. Surfactant replacement, especially by the direct instillation approach, has been proven effective in improving clinical outcome under these circumstances. Problems with surfactant instillation include the "fluid bolus" effect and concerns about optimal distribution of the instilled material. Recent improvements in aerosol systems have created interest in using aerosol delivery to reduce the total dose of surfactant required to treat RDS. In adult acute lung injury, surfactant dysfunction, rather than depletion, is the problem. Simple phospholipid replacement strategies thus may not be effective. Instead, surfactant delivery strategies aimed at regional targeting with surfactants having the necessary associated proteins may be the goal in ARDS. In adults, several instillation trials are underway, but there is also a hope that an aerosol strategy might also be tried. The aerosol route may be particularly useful if a high-efficiency aerosol system (eg, one distal to an endotracheal tube) can be shown to be effective. Other surface active materials exist and there are small studies showing benefit when large instilled doses of these materials are given. These materials, however, have never been studied as aerosols.

Aerosols↗

Surfactant replacement therapy.

Dysfunction of the surfactant system of the lung in the setting of acute lung injury (ALI) is likely to contribute to the pathophysiology of that syndrome. Multiple mechanisms, including injury to alveolar type II cells and inhibition by plasma proteins contribute to this loss of function. Similar injury occurs in animal models of acute lung injury and, in that setting, treatment with exogenous surfactant causes marked improvement in gas exchange. Clinical studies of surfactant treatment of ALI suggest benefit, and definitive phase III trials are now in progress.

Animals↗

The role of pulmonary surfactant in obstructive airways disease.

Pulmonary surfactant research has an increasing impact on treatment considerations in adult respiratory disorders, above all acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Obstructive airways diseases have only been sporadically addressed in this respect. In the last decade, direct and circumstantial evidence for surfactant as a contributing factor in the regulation of airway calibre has emerged. Morphologically, a bronchiolar surfactant layer has been demonstrated, whereby the airways are mostly supplied by alveolar surfactant components via the mucociliary escalator. Functionally, prevention of airway film collapse and collapse of the airway walls are important surfactant properties in maintaining airway stability. In addition to its surface activity, airway surfactant improves bronchial clearance and regulates airway liquid balance, thus indirectly modulating airway wall thickness and airway diameter. Surfactant has furthermore been shown to modulate the function of respiratory inflammatory cells. Its immunomodulatory activity includes suppression of cytokine secretion and transcription factor activation. This may be of importance in the inflammatory network of asthma. Thus, dysfunction of surfactant in obstructive lung disease might be one of the mechanisms leading to increased airway resistance, which is commonly thought to be due to narrowing of airways under humoral and nervous control. In animal models of asthma, surfactant dysfunction was demonstrated, which was possibly due to protein inhibition. Furthermore, surfactant therapy seems to be capable of preventing allergen-induced bronchoconstriction. Human studies on surfactant impairment in obstructive airways diseases are still scarce but the data available are consistent with animal studies. Antiobstructive pharmacotherapy, mainly with corticosteroids, might influence and improve airway surfactant balance, but the exact mechanisms and the overall effect of pharmacotherapy on surfactant function in obstructive airways disease has to be further elucidated. Our knowledge about the role of pulmonary surfactant in obstructive airways disease is still limited, but there is convincing evidence that pulmonary surfactant plays a role in keeping the airways open.

Airway Resistance↗

Effect of fibrinogen degradation products and lung ground substance on surfactant function.

Acute lung injury syndromes have many characteristics including protein-rich alveolar edema, hyaline membranes, and abnormal surface tension at the alveolar air-liquid interface. Increased surface tension can occur because of a relative surfactant deficiency and/or dysfunction. It has been previously demonstrated that surfactant dysfunction occurs when plasma protein inhibitors leak into the alveolar space during the induction of the lung injury and edema formation. The present study investigated whether inhibitors that would be generated during the stage of repair from lung injury could impair surfactant function. We determined whether fibrinogen degradation products (FDP) which would be released during lysis of the fibrin(ogen)-containing alveolar exudate and hyaline membranes, and components of the lungs' ground substance could inhibit the in vitro function of a lipid extract surfactant preparation. FDP were prepared by incubating human fibrinogen with plasmin or neutrophil elastase for 4 min to 60 h and were characterized by SDS-PAGE. Early (fragment X and Y) and late (fragment D and E) plasmin-derived FDP (MW greater than 40,000) inhibited surfactant function as assessed by a bubble surfactometer. The early elastase-derived FDP also inhibited surfactant, but the later and much smaller fragments (MW less than 15,000) did not affect surfactant function. Laminin also inhibited surfactant in a dose-dependent manner. Neither hyaluronic acid nor heparan sulfate affected surfactant performance in vitro. We conclude that plasmin-induced lysis of intraalveolar fibrinogen and hyaline membranes will result in prolonged generation (i.e. days) of surfactant inhibitors.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Surfactant protein levels in bronchoalveolar lavage after segmental allergen challenge in patients with asthma.

BACKGROUND: Allergic asthma is associated with airway inflammation and dysfunction of pulmonary surfactant. Because surfactant proteins (SP) account for immunomodulatory functions as well as biophysical functions, we hypothesized that the allergic response in asthma might be accompanied by a dysregulation of SPs. METHODS: We measured levels of SP-A, SP-B, SP-C and SP-D by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of 23 asthma patients and 10 healthy control subjects under well-controlled conditions before and 24 h after segmental allergen provocation. These data were related to surfactant function, Th(2) cytokine levels in BAL fluid and to the degree of eosinophilic inflammation. RESULTS: In patients with asthma, allergen challenge increased BAL levels of SP-B, SP-C and SP-D while SP-A was decreased. For SP-B and SP-D, a moderate increase was also observed after saline challenge. In contrast, no alterations were observed in healthy control subjects. Levels of SP-B and SP-C in asthmatics correlated with the ratio of small to large surfactant aggregates (SA/LA ratio) and correlated negatively with BAL surface activity. Furthermore, increased SP-C but not SP-B levels after allergen challenge correlated with eosinophil numbers, interleukin (IL)-5, and IL-13 in BAL while increased SP-D levels only correlated with eosinophil numbers. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates significant alterations of all SPs in BAL fluid after allergen challenge of which SP-C was most closely related to surfactant dysfunction and the degree of the allergic inflammation.

Adult↗

[Experimental study on the treatment of smoke inhalation injury with lung lavage and exogenous pulmonary surfactant].

To investigate the prevention and treatment effects of lung lavage and exogenous pulmonary surfactant (PS) on endogenous surfactant system dysfunction and acute respiratory failure caused by severe smoke inhalation, Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups: Group I, normal control; Group II, smoke inhalation; Group III, smoke + lavage + PS + mechanical ventilation (MV); Group IV, smoke + lavage + MV; Group V, smoke + MV. The lungs were lavaged with 30 ml/kg 0.9% NaCl containing 100 mg/kg PS or same volume of saline via tracheal catheter at 5 min after smoke inhalation, then the animals were placed on a ventilator for 4 h, and observed until 24 h postinjury. The arterial blood gas levels, lung water volume, static lung compliance (Cst), total protein and albumin contents in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), surface tension properties of BALF, and fatality rate at 24 h were measured. Smoke inhalation caused a similar acute hypoxia and severe carbon monoxide poisoning immediately in all injuried groups. The animals in group II showed acute respiratory failure, serious high permeability pulmonary edema, and surfactant system dysfunction. The surface tension properties of BALF, Cst, and the oxygenation were significantly improved with lung lavage and exogenous PS treatment. The lung water volume, total protein and albumin contents in BALF were decreased dramatically in this group. The fatality rate at 24 h declined markedly only in group III. It was suggested that lung lavage and exogenous surfactant treatment trestores effectively endogenous surfactant function inhibited by smoke inhalation, improves lung function, prevents high permeability pulmonary edema and respiratory failure, and decreases the mortality in early stage after smoke inhalation injury.

Animals↗

Depletion of surfactant tubular myelin with pulmonary dysfunction in a rat model for acute endotoxemia.

Although prolonged Gram-negative sepsis with high permeability alveolar edema, a well documented cause of adult respiratory distress syndrome, has been shown to result in surfactant alterations, the effects of acute endotoxemia on the lung surfactant system are largely unknown. In this study, lethal endotoxemia (> 80% mortality at 24 h) resulting in severe, rapid leukopenia with progressive thrombocytopenia was achieved through intraperitoneal injection of adult Fischer 344 rats with 3.5 mg of Escherichia coli endotoxin/kg. After assessment of pulmonary mechanics under general anesthesia, endotoxin-injected rats and appropriate controls were killed at 4, 8, and 12 h for morphological and biochemical analyses. Morphometric estimation of surfactant membrane subtypes in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid revealed prominent alterations including significant decrease (45%) in tubular myelin 12 h post-endotoxin, with a threefold increase in lamellar body-like forms at 8 and 12 h. Acute endotoxicosis resulted in decrease of total dynamic compliance, whereas pulmonary resistance remained unchanged. These changes were associated with margination of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in lung microcirculation, multifocal septal edema, and decrease in lamellar body lysozyme specific activity at 12 h. Alveolar edema, as determined by measurement of total protein in cell-free bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, was absent in both controls and endotoxin-injected rats. The results indicate that bloodborne lung injury induced by lethal endotoxicosis initiates acute perturbation of secreted surfactant membranes with pulmonary dysfunction in the absence of high protein alveolar edema.

Acute Disease↗

Early surfactant administration protects against lung dysfunction in a mouse model of ARDS.

Sepsis can predispose the lung to insults such as mechanical ventilation (MV). It was hypothesized that treating the lung with exogenous surfactant early in the development of sepsis will reduce the lung dysfunction associated with MV 18 h later. Mice underwent sham or cecal ligation and perforation (CLP) surgery. Immediately after surgery, mice were either untreated or given 100 mg/kg of bovine lipid extract surfactant intratracheally. Eighteen hours later, the lungs were removed and analyzed either immediately or following ventilation ex vivo for 2 h by an "injurious" mode of ventilation (20 ml/kg, 0 cm positive end-expiratory pressure). In nonventilated lungs, exogenous surfactant had no impact on compliance or IL-6 concentrations in the lungs. In the ventilated groups, the administered surfactant had a significant protective effect on the lung dysfunction induced by MV, but only in the CLP lungs. We conclude that administration of exogenous surfactant at the time of a systemic insult can protect the lung from the damaging effects of MV 18 h later.

Acute Disease↗

Calcium-dependent degradation of surfactant protein A by activated neutrophils due to serine proteases.

The effects of activated leukocytes on surfactant function and composition were examined to better define the mechanisms by which acute inflammation contributes to respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Peripheral blood leukocytes from healthy volunteers were incubated in vitro with surfactant for 4 hours: (1) in the absence of activation; (2) following activation by addition of phorbol myristate acetate (PMA); (3) following addition of PMA + FeCl2/EDTA; (4) PMA + FeCl2; (5) PMA + EDTA; (6) PMA + FeCl2 + superoxide dismutase (SOD) + catalase; (7) PMA + EDTA + serine or cysteine protease inhibitors. Surfactant was then repurified by sucrose gradient centrifugation, and function, phospholipid and protein composition, and extent of lipid peroxidation were assessed. PMA caused activation of leukocytes as detected by dichlorofluorescene assay. Lipid peroxidation (assessed by conjugated diene assay) was detected in all samples containing PMA. Abnormal function was noted in surfactant exposed to activated cells with 1 mM EDTA, whereas activation alone, or with FeCl2, had no effect. SOD + catalase prevented lipid peroxidation, but did not prevent leukocyte-mediated dysfunction, which was associated with a marked reduction in surfactant protein A (SP-A), but no detectable change in surfactant protein B (SP-B) or phospholipid composition. Serine protease inhibitors prevented SP-A degradation and dysfunction, whereas cysteine protease inhibitors had no protective effect. Addition of purified SP-A (5% w/w) to dysfunctional surfactant restored normal function, while SP-B/C mixture (3%) did not. Activated leukocytes cause surfactant dysfunction in vitro by serine protease-mediated degradation of SP-A, which occurs only in the presence of EDTA, and is prevented by addition of calcium. Although lipid peroxidation mediated by leukocyte release of free-radical products was also detected, surfactant dysfunction appears to be unrelated to this process.

Albumins↗

Interleukin-6 has no effect on surfactant or lung function in different lung insults.

The current study determined if interleukin-6 (IL-6) had a causative role in the lung dysfunction and/or surfactant alterations associated with three different lung insults. IL-6 (or saline) was instilled into rats followed by mechanical ventilation in vivo for 4 hours. Also, IL-6 (-/-) and wild-type mice were subjected to 3 insults: ex vivo injurious mechanical ventilation; cecal ligation and perforation; and hyperoxia exposure. In all experiments, the presence or absence of IL-6 did not significantly influence gas exchange, lung compliance, or various surfactant measurements. These results suggest that IL-6 may have a limited role in the surfactant alterations observed in acute lung injury.

Animals↗

[Secondary surfactant deficiencies in extremely low birth weight premature infants].

Primary deficiency of surfactant is responsible for the respiratory distress syndrome and concerns premature neonates born before 33 weeks of gestation. However, newborns may develop respiratory disorders related to a secondary deficiency or dysfunction of surfactant. We report the course of three extremely low birth weight premature infants who experienced clinical respiratory decompensation at two weeks and showed a marked improvement after exogenous natural surfactant administration.

Humans↗