Elevated truncated oxidized phospholipids as a factor exacerbating ALI in the aging lungs

As mechanisms controlling redox homeostasis become impaired with aging, exaggerated oxidant stress may cause disproportional oxidation of cell membranes and circulating phospholipids (PLs), leading to the formation of truncated oxidized PL products (Tr-OxPLs), which exhibit deleterious effects. This study investigated the role of elevated Tr-OxPLs as a factor exacerbating inflammation and lung barrier dysfunction in an animal model of aging. Mass spectrometry analysis of Tr-OxPL species in young (2–4 mo) and aging (18–24 mo) mice revealed elevated basal levels of several products [1-palmitoyl-2-(5-oxovaleroyl)-sn-glycero-phosphocholine (POVPC), 1-palmitoyl-2-glutaroyl-sn-glycero-phosphocholine, lysophosphocholine, 1-palmitoyl-2-(9-oxo-nonanoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, 1-palmitoyl-2-azelaoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine, O-1-O-palmitoyl-2-O-(5,8-dioxo-8-hydroxy-6-octenoyl)-l-glycero-3-phosphocholine, and others] in the aged lungs. An intratracheal (i.t.) injection of bacterial LPS caused increased gene...