Secretory phospholipase A2-mediated depletion of phosphatidylglycerol in early acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Introduction: Secretory phospholipases A2 (sPLA2) hydrolyze phospholipids in cell membranes and extracellular structures such as pulmonary surfactant. This study tests the hypothesis that sPLA2 are elevated in human lungs during acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and that sPLA2 levels are associated with surfactant injury by hydrolysis of surfactant phospholipids.

Methods: Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was obtained from 18 patients with early ARDS (<72 hours) and compared with samples from 10 healthy volunteers.