title: Invited review: lung edema clearance: role of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase.
abstract: Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure is a consequence of edema accumulation due to elevation of pulmonary capillary pressures and/or increases in permeability of the alveolocapillary barrier. It has been recognized that lung edema clearance is distinct from edema accumulation and is largely effected by active Na(+) transport out of the alveoli rather than reversal of the Starling forces, which control liquid flux from the pulmonary circulation into the alveolus. The alveolar epithelial Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase has an important role in regulating cell integrity and homeostasis. In the last 15 yr, Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase has been localized to the alveolar epithelium and its contribution to lung edema clearance has been appreciated. The importance of the alveolar epithelial Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase function is reflected in the changes in the lung's ability to clear edema when the Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase is inhibited or increased. An important focus of the ongoing research is the study of the mechanisms of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase regulation in the alveolar epithelium during lung injury and how to accelerate lung edema clearance by modulating Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase activity.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
authors.forename: J I
authors.initials: JI
authors.lastname: Sznajder
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Factor
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Ingbar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004848:Epithelium / Q000201:enzymology; D006801:Humans; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000201:enzymology; D011654:Pulmonary Edema / Q000378:metabolism*; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase