Journal of Applied Physiology AJP: Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced]


     

J Appl Physiol 70: 1943-1949, 1991;
8750-7587/91 $5.00
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Green, F. H.
Right arrow Articles by Prior, M.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Green, F. H.
Right arrow Articles by Prior, M.

Journal of Applied Physiology, Vol 70, Issue 5 1943-1949, Copyright © 1991 by American Physiological Society

ARTICLES

Effects of hydrogen sulfide exposure on surface properties of lung surfactant

F. H. Green, S. Schurch, G. T. De Sanctis, J. A. Wallace, S. Cheng and M. Prior
Respiratory Research Group, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Hydrogen sulfide is an irritant and chemical asphyxiant gas that exerts its primary toxic effects on the respiratory and neurological systems. Exposure to hydrogen sulfide above a threshold value of 200-300 ppm is characterized by the sudden onset of hemorrhagic pulmonary edema. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this response is associated with changes in the surface properties of pulmonary surfactant. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was retrieved from the lungs of Fischer 344 rats exposed to two concentrations of hydrogen sulfide or fresh air for 4 h. Surface tension-lowering properties were assayed using a captive bubble surface tensiometer. Lung injury was assessed by histopathology and measurements of total protein and lactate dehydrogenase activity in the lavagate. Marked abnormalities in surfactant activity were demonstrated in the lavagates from rats exposed to the highest concentration (300 ppm) of hydrogen sulfide. These involved the properties of adsorption to the air-water interface and surface tension lowering under quasi-static interfacial compression. Exposure to 200 ppm hydrogen sulfide had no effect on minimum surface tension despite a significant increase in protein and lactate dehydrogenase in the lavagate. This would suggest a threshold-type response for the inhibition of surfactant activity by hydrogen sulfide. In vitro studies using normal rat surfactant showed that the abnormalities in surfactant activity were due to inhibitors in the edema fluid and not to a direct effect of sulfide on surfactant. The pathophysiological consequences of increased alveolar surface tension after hydrogen sulfide exposure may need to be considered in the clinical setting.


This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 J. Appl. Physiol.Home page
K. J. Cassidy, D. Halpern, B. G. Ressler, and J. B. Grotberg
Surfactant effects in model airway closure experiments
J Appl Physiol, July 1, 1999; 87(1): 415 - 427.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]


HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Visit Other APS Journals Online