Metabolism of hexadecanol by rat type II pneumonocytes.

Type II pneumonocytes isolated from adult rats incorporate radioactivity from 1-[3H]hexadecanol into either lipids. The radioactivity is distributed between the neutral lipids, phosphatidylcholines, and phosphatidylethanolamines. The neutral lipid fraction is almost exclusively composed of triradylglycerols. The potent ether-containing glycerophospholipid, platelet-activating factor, has been shown to stimulate glycogen breakdown and surfactant secretion. In consideration that a long chain alcohol (hexadecanol) is added to certain artificial surfactant preparations which are utilized in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome of the newborn, the metabolism of hexadecanol by the type II pneumonocytes should be taken into account.