Effects of wood and cotton smoke on the surface properties of pulmonary surfactant

Abstract

The effects of wood and cotton smoke and several known smoke components on the dynamic surface activity of pulmonary surfactant were characterized with a modified Wilhelmy balance. Surfactant was harvested by saline lavage from dog lungs, placed in the balance and a control surface tension/area isotherm (y-A) and surface tension at minimum area (control y min = 6.6±1.6 dynes/cm) measured. Hysteresis area (HA), recruitment index (RI), and stability index (SI) were calculated. Following control measurements, smoke (wood or cotton) was gently blown over the surfactant in the balance. Similarly, each of the individual smoke components or Liquid smoke (prepared by bubbling wood smoke through saline) were injected onto the balance. Wood smoke significantly ( P < 0.05) altered all surface properties measured, increasing y min (22.0±1.6 dynes/cm) and decreasing HA, RI, and SI as compared to control; cotton smoke exposure had almost no effect on surfactant function. A supplementary dose of surfactant was added to the balance, following wood smoke exposure, which decreased y min (9.4±2.6 dynes/cm, P = NS vs control) but not the other parameters to control. Acrolein, formaldehyde, and HCl had little effect on any of the surface properties measured whereas isobutyraldehyde and liquid smoke altered the y-A curve but did not increase y min. These data demonstrate that wood but not cotton smoke inhibit surfactant function, however, surfactant function can be restored, following deactivation by smoke, suggesting that surfactant replacement therapy for victims of severe smoke inhalation may be of benefit.