Compositional changes in pulmonary surfactant among welding fume exposed associated with oxidative stress and inflammation

Pulmonary surfactant (PS), a composition of bioactive phospholipids and proteins, is constantly exposed to the outside world through our breathing. Welding has long been associated with chronic pulmonary diseases and lung cancer. We investigated the lipid composition of PS in welders compared to non-exposed controls. Utilizing the Particles in Exhaled Air (PExA) method, we collected pulmonary lining fluid samples from 134 participants, of which 55 welders. Tandem mass spectrometry was used for sample analysis. Multivariate statistical methods, orthogonal partial least squares and random forests, were utilized for data analysis. <bold>Results:</bold> Higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), elevated amounts of plasmalogens, and decreased concentrations of palmitic acid-containing PC species were noted among welders (Figure 1). <bold>Conclusions:</bold> These alterations suggest a considerable shift in the lipid composition favoring inflammatory pathway activation, oxidative stress, and possible changes in the biophysical properties of PS. <fig><object-id>erj;64/suppl_68/PA2220/F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><object-id>F1</object-id><graphic></graphic></fig> Figure 1) Loadings of OPLS for lipid species with highest impact on separating the groups (95 % CI)).