RESUMO
Aspiration of gastric contents to the lung is a cause of Adult Respiration Distress syndrome. We studied the effects of endotracheal instillation of hydrochloric acid (2 ml/kg, 0.1 N solution) in anesthetized rats who were sacrificed 4 or 48 hr later. A control group received 0.9% saline solution instead. Total protein, phospholipids, disaturated phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) and number of cells were determined in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Histologic studies were performed in one rat in each group. HCl caused edema and inflammatory reaction characterized by a rise in protein and cells in the bronchoalveolar fluid 48 hr after endotracheal instillation. This was associated with an increase in total phospholipid and in DSPC. Therefore, the inflammatory response to HCl is associated to an increase in alveolar surfactant 48 hr after instillation.