[Effect of chemical sympathectomy on the function of the pulmonary surfactant system in white rats]. / Vliianie khimicheskoi simpatéktomii na sostoianie surfaktantnoi sistemy legkikh belykh krys.

Rats received guanethidine (50 mg/kg) daily during the period from 2 weeks to 3 months to exclude selectively sympathetic irritation in order to study its influence on the phospholipid status of the lung surfactant component. An increase in total phospholipids of lung extracts as well as that of separate fractions of phospholipids especially of phosphatidylcholine was revealed along with a direct interrelationship between the alveoli area and the phosphatidylcholine rate. The alterations in surfactant phospholipids are regarded as a compensatory reaction maintaining alveolar stabilization in the case of sympathectomy.