Altered metabolism of phospholipids in the lung of rats with peritonitis

Pulmonary alterations after shock and sepsis, described clinically as shock lung or adult respiratory distress syndrome, are of great importance in intensive care. Pathogenetically an alteration of the surfactant system of the lung is often discussed. Since phospholipids are constituents of lung surfactants, phospholipid metabolism is investigated in experimental peritonitis in rats in our laboratory. 15 hours after inducing a peritonitis, the lung incorporates more oleic acid than that in animals of the reference group. 33 hours after inducing peritonitis, the capacity of the lung to incorporate choline and fatty acids is markedly reduced, histologically the lungs represent morphological equivalents of the so-called shock lung at this time. Therefore we conclude, that an alteration of phospholipid metabolism with a diminished and/or altered synthesis of lung surfactant plays, at least in part, an important role in the pathogenesis of respiratory distress in sepsis and peritonitis.