[Regulation of free radical oxidation of pulmonary surfactant lipids]

Surface-active substances of lung tissue, covering the alveoli, resembled the biological membranes in their structure. Their composition was controlled, among the other factors, also by free radical oxidation reactions. Under conditions of circulatory hypoxia the activity of antioxidative enzymes correlated with the alterations in antioxidative activity, with the rates of spontaneous and inducible lipid peroxidation in lung surfactants. As surfactant exhibited a limited antioxidative activity important for resistance of alveolar pneumocytes, their functions may be controlled by various exogenous antioxidants.