Effect of detergent solutions upon distal lung phospholipids

Intratracheally injected acid detergent solutions induce in rabbits a predominantly bronchiolo-lobular process evolving in two steps, an epithelial and an epitheliomesenchymal one. When the acid detergent solution reached prominently the alveolar structures it determined a rapid release by exocytosis of phospholipid lamellated bodies from the large granular alveolocytes and the following engulfment by macrophages of released products (Eskenasy, 1982 b). Histochemically, the cells containing phospholipids increased in cellularized alveolar walls, the alveolar lining film appeared thickened and denser, and the accumulated free macrophages filled with phospholipid reactive granules (Landing et al. 's method). Glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase activity is very intense in the cellularly thickened alveolar walls, in macrophages and in the newly formed (regenerated) bronchiolar cells. Lactate dehydrogenase activity becomes very intense in macrophages. These data complete the morphogenic events leading to the lobular pathology.