Lung surfactant kinetics in conscious pigs

The role of plasma free fatty acids and de novo synthesized fatty acids in the synthesis of lung surfactant phosphatidylcholine (PC) has been studied. A new stable isotope tracer model was used in infusing (1,2-13C2)acetate and uniformly labeled (U-13C16)palmitate in nine overnight fasted pigs. Surfactant kinetics were measured during the basal state and during low-dose glucose infusion. Results indicate glucose does not affect PC synthesis. Plasma is also the main contributor of fatty acids for surfactant PC synthesis.