Liver‐type fatty acid binding protein in serum and broncho‐alveolar lavage in a model of acute respiratory failure because of surfactant depletion – a possible marker for lung damage?

Summary Introduction  Liver‐type fatty acid binding proteins (L‐FABP) have been shown to be present in alveolar macrophages and type II pneumocytes of the lung. This study determined levels of L‐FABP in serum and broncho‐alveolar lavage (BAL) during experimental acute respiratory failure (ARF) to evaluate whether this molecule can serve as a marker for lung damage. Methods  Male Sprague–Dawley rats ( n  = 24) were ventilated and either lung lavaged or lavaged and treated with surfactant, and compared to ventilated, non‐lavaged controls. Blood samples were drawn every hour for 4 h to measure L‐FABP concentrations in serum. At the end of the experiment a BAL was performed to determine L‐FABP levels in BAL fluid. L‐FABP was measured with a sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. Results  Serum L‐FABP concentrations rose significantly during the first 2 h of ventilation in all groups compared with baseline values. After 2 h L‐FABP levels were significantly higher in lavaged animals compared with the ventilated controls and to animals treated with surfactant. After 4 h of ventilation, L‐FABP in BAL was significantly higher in lavaged, non‐surfactant treated animals compared with the ventilated controls. Conclusion  In the early phase of experimental ARF serum L‐FABP levels correlate well with the degree of lung injury.