The Potential Role of Bioactive Plasmalogens in Lung Surfactant

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) is a type of newborn disorder caused by the deficiency or late appearance of lung surfactant, a mixture of lipids and proteins. Studies have shown that lung surfactant replacement therapy could effectively reduce the morbidity and mortality of NRDS, and the therapeutic effect of animal-derived surfactant preparation, although with its limitations, performs much better than that of protein-free synthetic ones. Plasmalogens are a type of ether phospholipids present in multiple human tissues, including lung and lung surfactant. Plasmalogens are known to promote and stabilize non-lamellar hexagonal phase structure in addition to their significant antioxidant property. Nevertheless, they are nearly ignored and underappreciated in the lung surfactant-related research. This report will focus on plasmalogens, a minor yet potentially vital component of lung surfactant, and also discuss their biophysical properties and functions as anti-oxidation, structural modification, and surface tension reduction at the alveolar surface. At the end, we boldly propose a novel synthetic protein-free lung surfactant preparation with plasmalogen modification as an alternative strategy for surfactant replacement therapy.

Oxidative Stress and Endothelial Dysfunction in the Development of Simulated Radio-Induced Lung Damage and their Correction with Pulmonary Surfactant

Radiation exposure to the chest organs used in the complex treatment of neoplasms is often accompanied by the development of radiation pneumonitis, fibrosis and respiratory failure.The aim of the study was to evaluate oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction in radio-induced lung damage and possibility of their correction with a pulmonary surfactant preparation.Material and methods. Lung tissue samples of 82 male Wistar rats were investigated in the study. Single local irradiation of animals was performed with the X-ray RUM-17 unit at a dose 12 Gy. The quantitative content and fractional composition of phospholipids of pulmonary surfactant were determined in the study. Oxidative stress was detected using Raman spectroscopy, endothelial dysfunction was detected immunohistochemically.Results. Oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction were registered starting from the first day of the experiment, and manifested by an increased content of free radicals and a decrease in endothelial function indices supported by precise spectroscopic, immunohistochemical and electron microscopic methods. With application of Surfactant-BL preparation oxidative stress manifestations were eliminated to the beginning of the intermediate stage of the experiment, and were preserved without correction until its completion.Conclusions. Three-fold intratracheal administration of a pulmonary surfactant preparation implements an antioxidant, immunomodulatory and compensating effect attenuating the alterative effect of oxidative stress and its initiating impact on the development of endothelial dysfunction. Native surfactant having a pronounced effect on all components of the lung tissue including alveolocytes of the first and second types and endothelial cells of the capillaries of the lung results in the correction of endothelial dysfunction.

Changes of redox reactions in the lung tissue under burn injury and combined application of lyophilized xenographt substrate and exogenous surfactant preparation

<p>Oxidative stress in the body of the experimental animals after burn injury arises and develops on the background<br />of activation of free radical oxidation and decrease of antioxidant activity and increase of endotoxemia. The combined<br />use of surfactant preparation and lyophilized xenographt substrate after skin burns lead to a significant decrease of<br />endotoxemia, inhibition of lipid peroxidation processes and restoring functional activity of antioxidant protection.</p>

Preparation of bio-based surfactants from glycerol and dodecanol by direct etherification

A new strategy for biobased surfactant preparation by the Pickering interfacial catalytic process of glycerol and dodecanol with a bi-functional catalyst.