Retinyl ester synthesis by the isolated perfused-ventilated neonatal rabbit lung.

Retinyl ester is present in lung but it is unknown if retinyl ester synthesis occurs in that organ. In this study, [3H]-Retinol was perfused into the pulmonary artery of isolated-perfused-ventilated neonatal rabbit lungs. Alumina chromatography was used to separate retinol from retinyl ester in hexane extracts of lung tissue. [3H]-Retinyl ester synthesis did occur and was perfusion time and perfusate [3H]-retinol concentration dependent. Documentation of [3H] retinyl ester synthesis was also made by HPLC analysis of the retinyl ester fraction before and after methanolic KOH hydrolysis. Isolated lung clearly can synthesize retinyl ester.