Phospholipid composition of rat lung after amiodarone treatment.

The total phospholipid, cholesterol and protein content was determined in lung, heart and plasma of rats treated with 50, 100 and 150 mg/kg/day p.o. of amiodarone during two weeks. No modification was observed in the heart. The phospholipid and cholesterol content of lung was not modified at the lowest dose but the former increased by 27% and 70% at 100 and 150 mg/kg/day. Phospholipid pattern indicated that phosphatidylcholine content increased selectively. The phospholipid accumulation was totally reversed two weeks after the end of treatment. The results are discussed as a function of the lipid catabolism in the lung.