Disaturated-phosphatidylcholine and Surfactant protein-B turnover in human acute lung injury and in control patients

Table 2 Surfactant composition of tracheal aspirates

VARIABLE	PATIENTS		p
	ARDS/ALI	CONTROLS
Total phospholipids (mg/ml ELF)	0.98 (0.57-1.30)	2.30 (1.03-1.66)	0.07
Total protein (mg/ml ELF)	68.6 (46.3-97.2)	44.7 (33.7-49.1)	<0.05
PPQ	0.010 (0.014-0.036)	0.034 (0.024-0.051)	<0.01
SP-B (μg/ml ELF)	1.7 (0.8-2.9)	4.2 (3.4-5.8)	<0.05
SP-B (%PL)	0.21 (0.08-0.36)	0.21 (0.11-0.44)	0.7
DSPC (mg/ml ELF)	0.11 (0.08-0.24)	0.65 (0.50-2.59)	<0.01
Mean DSPC (%PL)	50 (43-51)	54 (52-58)	<0.01

All data represent as median and interquartile range. PPQ = Phospholipid-to-Protein quotient. ELF = epithelial lining fluid. Total protein, total phospholipids, DSPC and SP-B were determined in one tracheal aspirates at the start of the study or within 24 h. Values were corrected for dilution using the urea method. DSPC (%PL) was determined in all tracheal aspirates collected till the end of the study. Values were compared using Mann-Whitney test.

ISSN: 1465-993X