1 This study investigated whether the reactive organohalogen gases perfluor
oisobutene (PFIB) and phosgene, which cause death by overwhelming pulmonary
oedema, affect the surfactant system or type II pneumocytes of rat lung.
2 The progression and type of pulmonary injury in Porton Wistar-derived rat
s was monitored over a 48 h period following exposure to either PFIB or pho
sgene (LCt(30)) by analyzing the inflammatory cells and protein in bronchoa
lveolar lavage fluid. Six rat lung phospholipids were measured by high-perf
ormance liquid chromatography, following solid phase extraction from lavage
fluid.
3 Alterations in the cell population and lung permeability occurred followi
ng both gases, indicating that the injury was a permeability-type pulmonary
oedema. Changes in the total amount of phospholipid and in the percentage
composition of the surfactant were different for the two gases. PFIB produc
ed increases in phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylcholine over the first
hour, similar to that seen following air exposure, followed by substantial
decreases in these phospholipids. Phosgene caused late increases in all ph
ospholipids from 6 h post-exposure.
4 Differences in the response of the surfactant system to exposure to PFIB
and phosgene suggest different mechanisms of action at the alveolar surface
although the final injurious response is pulmonary oedema for both gases.