Ultrastructure of type II alveolar epithelial cells in rats with acute respiratory distress syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To observe the ultrastructure of type II alveolar epithelium cells of rats with experimental acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).


METHODS
Rat models of ARDS were established via oleic acid injection, and the type II alveolar epithelium was isolated and purified to observe the changes in the ultrastructure of the cells under transmission electron microscope.


RESULTS
Observation under transmission electron microscope revealed evidently decreased lamellar bodies in type II alveolar epithelial cells leading to vacuolation in rats with ARDS.


CONCLUSIONS
After proper isolation and purification, the morphological changes in type II alveolar epithelial cells can be more easily observed, and the changes in the lamellar bodies suggest that type II cells play an important role in ARDS.
Liu
Lin
L
Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, First Military Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
Li
Tao-ping
TP
D000818:Animals; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011650:Pulmonary Alveoli / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000473:pathology*