Source of lung surfactant phospholipids: comparison of palmitate and acetate as precursors.

The phospholipids and the fatty acid compositions of major phospholipids in rat lung parenchyma, microsomes, lamellar bodies and alveolar wash were quantified. Adult rats were injected simultaneously with [3H]palmitate and [14C]acetate into the femoral vein. The appearance of labeled phosphatidylcholine (PC), desaturated phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) and phosphatidylglycerol (PG) in each lung fraction was measured during short periods of time (5 min to 2 hr) after isotope administration. Relatively more PC, DSPC and PG labeled with acetate radioactivity in lung microsomes entered lamellar body and alveolar wash fractions than those labeled with palmitate radioactivity. However, there was no difference between palmitate and acetate labeled phospholipids in the transport from microsomes to lamellar bodies by phospholipid exchange proteins. On the other hand, prior injection of colchicine resulted in decrease in the transport of PC from microsomes to alveolar space to a relatively greater extent in the acetate radioactivity than in the palmitate radioactivity.