[Change in the state of surfactant in experimental pneumonia]

The state of pulmonary surfactant in rabbits at different periods (3 to 60 days) of experimental pneumonia was compared with the changes of the redox enzymes in the alveolar epithelium and the cells of the inflammatory infiltrate. At the initial stage (3 to 7 days) of the cellular metabolism activation there occurred a transitory intensification of the synthesis of surfactant lipids with a relative suppression of phospholipid synthesis. Later the progress of dystrophic processes and parenchymal sclerosis was accompanied by reduction of the synthesis of all the surfactant components. Surfactant surface activity became stable at a low level. This is possibly connected with the specific regulation of the surfactant synthesis determined by functional peculiarities of the organ.