Cholesterol - a key player at the lung surface
Lund University News Jun 13, 2017
Cholesterol, a naturally occurring compound at the lung surface, has been shown to have a clear effect on the properties of this nanoscale film that covers the inside of our lungs. Cholesterol levels in this system may affect the lungÂs function, according to researchers at Lund University in Sweden who have published a new study on the significance of cholesterol for lung surface properties. The new findings provide new insights into this vital physiological system.
In a joint study, researchers in chemistry and medicine at Lund University have more closely examined the thin film of proteins and fats that stabilises and protects the alveoli. This film, known as surfactant, also affects the transport of various molecules between the air and the bodyÂs blood vessels.
ÂOur study addresses the effect of cholesterol on the surface of the alveoli. We have obtained astonishingly clear resultsÂ, says Emma Sparr, professor of chemistry at Lund University.
Cholesterol constitutes a natural ingredient in the thin surfactant that covers the inside of our lungs, but it is almost completely absent from the clinical preparations used in healthcare to treat premature babies.
ÂIn very premature babies, the film on the surface of the alveoli has not had time to develop completely. Although we administer surfactant drugs, usually extracted from pigÂs lungs, to good effect in the acute phase, we still see pronounced long–term damage to the lungs of these extreme premature babiesÂ, says Marcus Larsson, a physician and researcher at Lund UniversityÂs Faculty of Medicine.
In the current study, the researchers used advanced NMR technology, or nuclear magnetic resonance, to map how cholesterol affects the molecular structure of the thin film in the alveoli. The method enabled the researchers to extract completely new molecular information and to compare the appearance of the structure with and without cholesterol.
ÂThis difference in the molecular structure of the film could be very significant to its function; both the transport of substances and the mechanical properties could be influenced by thisÂ, says Emma Sparr.
She now hopes that the research study will contribute to elucidating the significance of cholesterol for the surface of the alveoli and that resulting knowledge about this bodily surface layer can support the development of new clinical methods.
ÂThe effect of cholesterol on the surface of the alveoli is very clear and could eventually be included in the clinical preparations, which makes good sense as our own bodily surfactant contains this substance in quite significant levelsÂ, says Marcus Larsson.
The study in question is a collaboration between researchers from Lund University and the University of Halle in Germany.
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In a joint study, researchers in chemistry and medicine at Lund University have more closely examined the thin film of proteins and fats that stabilises and protects the alveoli. This film, known as surfactant, also affects the transport of various molecules between the air and the bodyÂs blood vessels.
ÂOur study addresses the effect of cholesterol on the surface of the alveoli. We have obtained astonishingly clear resultsÂ, says Emma Sparr, professor of chemistry at Lund University.
Cholesterol constitutes a natural ingredient in the thin surfactant that covers the inside of our lungs, but it is almost completely absent from the clinical preparations used in healthcare to treat premature babies.
ÂIn very premature babies, the film on the surface of the alveoli has not had time to develop completely. Although we administer surfactant drugs, usually extracted from pigÂs lungs, to good effect in the acute phase, we still see pronounced long–term damage to the lungs of these extreme premature babiesÂ, says Marcus Larsson, a physician and researcher at Lund UniversityÂs Faculty of Medicine.
In the current study, the researchers used advanced NMR technology, or nuclear magnetic resonance, to map how cholesterol affects the molecular structure of the thin film in the alveoli. The method enabled the researchers to extract completely new molecular information and to compare the appearance of the structure with and without cholesterol.
ÂThis difference in the molecular structure of the film could be very significant to its function; both the transport of substances and the mechanical properties could be influenced by thisÂ, says Emma Sparr.
She now hopes that the research study will contribute to elucidating the significance of cholesterol for the surface of the alveoli and that resulting knowledge about this bodily surface layer can support the development of new clinical methods.
ÂThe effect of cholesterol on the surface of the alveoli is very clear and could eventually be included in the clinical preparations, which makes good sense as our own bodily surfactant contains this substance in quite significant levelsÂ, says Marcus Larsson.
The study in question is a collaboration between researchers from Lund University and the University of Halle in Germany.
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