ARDS and ALI factors investigated

Gas chromatography mass spectrometry has been used to investigate the turnover of certain substances in patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and Acute Lung Injury (ALI).

Published in Respiratory Research, the study investigated the levels of disaturated-phosphaticdycholine and surfactant protein-B in such patients, as well as healthy subjects.

Using gas chromatography mass spectrometry, the scientists discovered that the turnover for surfactant protein-B is faster in both healthy patients and sufferers than for disaturated-phosphaticdycholine.

In those with either illness, disaturated-phosphaticdycholine turnover is 3.1 times higher than among those unaffected.

The researchers also found that disaturated-phosphaticdycholine and surfactant protein-B both were "significantly reduced" in ALI and ARDS patients.

"Disaturated-phosphaticdycholine and surfactant protein-B have a different turnover in both healthy and distressed lungs," they conclude.

An online journal, Respiratory Research publishes papers covering all aspects of this kind of illness.

It is an open access publication, reviewed by peers - and welcomes state-of-the-art reviews relevant to any aspect of the journal.