Pathogenetic aspects of respiratory distress syndrome in adults and newborns. Experimental and clinical data.

Activation of the kallikrein-kinin system was demonstrated in experimental lung failure in dogs and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in newborns. Further lung damage was found in rats after intravenous infusion of hypoxanthine during exposure to 100% oxygen for 48 h. It is discussed whether such damage was mediated through free oxygen radicals produced by the hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase system. Newborn babies with RDS had high serum myoinositol levels and the role of myoinositol as regulator of surfactant synthesis is discussed. These three different approaches demonstrate the complexity of pathogenesis of RDS in newborn babies and adults.