Dot immunobinding assays for the quantitation of two classes of proteins associated with lung surfactant phospholipids in human amniotic fluid are described. With the use of these assays it was determined that the two classes of surfactant proteins accumulate in the amniotic fluid at the same rate. The concentrations of disaturated phosphatidylcholine and the surfactant-associated proteins are less closely correlated. Centrifugation of amniotic fluids either before or after freezing resulted in a loss ranging from 10 to 35 percent of both surfactant disaturated phosphatidylcholine and proteins depending on the relative centrifugal force used. Preterm amniotic fluids contained significantly less of both surfactant-associated proteins, as well as disaturated phosphatidylcholine, than did term amniotic fluids which suggests that the use of these specific protein markers may enhance the assessment of fetal lung maturity.

Amniotic Fluid↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Quantitative evaluation of the surfactant system of the lung.

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Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

New Concepts in the pathogenesis of acute tubular necrosis associated with sepsis.

The kidneys of rhesus monkeys, infused either with a single bolus of endotoxin(10 mg per KG) or continuously at the rate of 10 mg per kg per hour for periods of up to 22 hours, have been examined by light and electron microscopy. Monkeys infused continuously with Ringer's lactate were used as controls. Only minor morphologic changes were observed in those animals receiving a bolus of endotoxin. In the animals continuously infused, sequestration of neutrophils and monocytes was observed in the peritubular capillaries and, to a lesser extent, in the glomeruli. These changes were associated with phagocytosis of endotoxin, occasional fibrinous deposits, and extensive endothelial damage with focal capillary disruption. In the advanced stages, interstitial edema and early necrosis of tubular epithelium were observed. Our data indicate that endothelial damage and associated events relating to the sequestration of phagocytic leukocytes involve the peritubular capillaries primarily and that this process plays a role in the genesis of acute tubular necrosis associated with endotoxemia. In preliminary studies involving the study of kidneys from patients dying with documented Gram negative sepsis and acute renal failure, sequestered nucleated cells have been observed in the peritubular capillaries of the renal cortex and upper medulla. This suggests that similar patterns of endotoxin mediated vascular injury may be occurring in human sepsis.

Acute Kidney Injury↗