Hyperoxia exposure impairs surfactant function and metabolism.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of hyperoxia exposure on lung function and the endogenous surfactant system in spontaneously breathing adult rats.

DESIGN

Analysis of the pulmonary surfactant system isolated from adult rats following exposure to > 90% oxygen or room air for 48 or 72 hrs.

SETTING

A basic science research laboratory in a university setting.

SUBJECTS

Sixty pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats.

INTERVENTIONS

Exposure to > 90% oxygen for 72 hrs.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Exposure to > 90% oxygen for 72 hrs resulted in significant lung dysfunction and an increase in neutrophils and total protein concentrations within the airspace compared with animals exposed to room air or 48 hrs of 90% oxygen exposure. Total alveolar surfactant and large aggregate pool sizes were increased after 72 hrs of hyperoxia compared with the other groups, and there was evidence of lipid peroxidation within these large aggregate subtractions. The biophysical function of large aggregate isolated from 72-hr hyperoxia-exposed animals was also impaired and converted into small aggregate forms faster than large aggregate from normoxia-exposed animals when assessed using in vitro surface area cycling techniques.

CONCLUSIONS

Oxidative stress on the endogenous surfactant system may represent an important mechanism contributing to the surfactant dysfunction and abnormal surfactant metabolism associated with hyperoxia-induced lung injury.