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Sympathetic nerve influence on alveolar type II cell ultrastructure
D J Crittenden1, L A Alexader, D L Beckman
1Department of Health Sciences, University of Central Florida, Orlando 32816.
Life Sciences
|January 1, 1994
Summary
Sympathetic nerve stimulation increases pulmonary surfactant release from alveolar type II cells. This study quantifies the reduction in lamellar bodies, indicating enhanced surfactant secretion, supporting nerve activity
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary physiology
- Cell biology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Pulmonary surfactant release from alveolar type II cells is triggered by catecholamines.
- The role of direct sympathetic nerve stimulation in surfactant release is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of sympathetic nerve stimulation on pulmonary surfactant release.
- To examine the ultrastructure of alveolar type II cells following stellate ganglion stimulation.
Main Methods:
- Alveolar type II cell ultrastructure was analyzed using stereologic principles.
- Lamellar body volume density was measured after one minute of stellate ganglion stimulation (SGS).
- Multivesicular and Golgi body volume densities were also assessed.
Main Results:
- Lamellar body volume density decreased by 20.8% in type II cells after SGS.
- Multivesicular body volume density increased by 150% following SGS.
- Golgi body volume density remained unchanged.
Conclusions:
- Sympathetic nerve stimulation promotes surfactant release from alveolar type II cells.
- These findings support the contribution of sympathetic nerve activity to surfactant homeostasis.
- Data align with previous observations of increased phospholipids after SGS.