Quantitative recovery of phospholipids from alveolar wash

Abstract

Modifications and standardization of an alveolar perfusion technique, and normal alveolar phospholipid concentrations of rats are reported. The presence of surface active material in the alveolar wash was demonstrated by marked hysteresis loops, and maximum and minimum surface tensions of 43.4 (1.6 S.D.) and 1.6 (0.4 S.D.) dyne/cm, respectively, from surface tension-area measurements. Lipid analysis revealed a phospholipid distribution similar to that obtained from other species and/or methods. Phosphatidyl choline accounted for 79% of the total phospholipid. Phospholipid concentration in lung washings of eleven rats was 2.4 (0.48 S.D.) μg mg lipid mg dry lung The described method of alveolar phospholipid recovery in consistent amounts for quantitative estimations may be useful for further characterization of the pulmonary surfactant system and its metabolism in health and disease. Advantages of the method are enumerated.