Surfactant

It is a surface tension lowering agent which means that when it spreads over the surface of a fluid, it reduces the surface tension of that fluid.

Surfactant
It is secreted by type II alveolar epithelial cells . Surfactant is a lipoprotein mixture. phospholipid dipalmitoyl phospholidylcholine (DPPC). apoproteins(SP-A ,SP-B,SP-C,SP-D) . calcium ions.

Surfactant secretion

Type II cell

Mechanism of action of surfactant

Mechanism of action of surfactant

Hydrophobic tail Hydrophilic head

Physiological significance of surfactant

Decreasing the surface- 1 . tension Stability of the- 1 . pulmonary alveoli

A- Equalization of pressure

P=2x3/2 P=3

P=2x3/1 P=6

Equalization of pressure

P=2x2/2 P=2

P=2x1/1 P=2

B-Interdependence

Physiological significance of surfactant

It helps to keep the- 1 alveoli dry It prevent collapse of- 1 the lung after their expansion at birth

Type II cells first appear in the human fetus at about . 20 weeks of pregnancy Surfactant secretion is . established by 30 weeks If the Infant is born before 30 wks, he may have surfactant deficiency , which causes infant respiratory distress

Infant respiratory .distress syndrome

Infant respiratory distress syndrome

Adult respiratory distress syndrome

Cigarette smoking is . harmful Smoke increases alveolar macrophage activity which increases removal of . surfactant

Factors affecting surfactant secretion

Factors affecting surfactant secretion

Factors stimulate its. 1 formation . Thyroid hormones . Glucocorticoid hormones . Certain proteins

Factors affecting surfactant secretion

Factors decrease. 1 surfactant
. Smoking. Insulin hormoneLong term inhalation of. pure O2 Cessation of pulmonarycirculation .for long time

Work of breathing

Work of breathing
The work of inspiration can be :- divided into 3 different parts . Compliance work. 1 . Tissue resistance work. 1 . Airway resistance work. 1

Work of breathing
At rest ,the amount of work of breathing is about 1-2% of the total energy . expenditure During heavy exercise, the energy needed for ventilation is only about 35% of the total energy .expenditure of the body