PEG enhance performance of lung surfactant
ARDS is characterized by surfactant dysfunction (Baudouin, 2004).
Enhancing surfactant performance could reduce COVID-19-ARDS-induced
injury. PEG, while not surface active itself, enhances the surface
activity of pulmonary surfactant (Yu et al., 2004). Yu, et al. suggest
that high molecular weight PEG (8000 to 35,000) bind to phospholipid
vesicles and enhance the rate of surface film formation (Yu et al.,
2004). PEG reduces inactivation of surfactant and enhances rates of
surfactant transfer from bulk lipid to air liquid surfaces (Yu et al.,
2004, Taeusch et al., 2008). Research findings by Taeusch, et al.
demonstrated that PEG can reverse inactivation of surfactant by meconium
and other substances (William Taeusch et al., 1999). Moreover, it has
been shown that PEG promotes surfactant aggregation, separates
surfactant from surfactant inhibitors, and enhances access of surfactant
to the gas–liquid interface (Lu et al., 2001). Taking together, we
hypothesize that PEG administration could protect the lung through
enhancing the performance of endogenous surfactant.