Fatty Acids of Phospholipids in Human Neonatal Lung Surfactant

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Abstract
Summary: The fatty acid chains of lecithin, phosphatidyl ethanolamine (PE), and phosphatidyl dimethylethanolamine (PDME) in human neonatal alveolar washes were analyzed. Both α- and β-palmitic acid increased with gestational age on all phospholipids analyzed. No evidence for high concentrations of myristic acid was found on any phospholipid. Babies who were stillborn or who had died of hyaline membrane disease (HMD) had lower proportions of β-lecithin palmitic acid when compared with babies who breathed normally before death. In the HMD group these levels were significantly lower. Speculation: The fatty acid chains of the phospholipids in lung surfactant probably influence the degree of surface activity of the phospho-