Ultrastructure of type II alveolar epithelial cells in rats with acute respiratory distress syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the ultrastructure of type II alveolar epithelium cells of rats with experimental acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). METHODS: Rat models of ARDS were established via oleic acid injection, and the type II alveolar epithelium was isolated and purified to observe the changes in the ultrastructure of the cells under transmission electron microscope. RESULTS: Observation under transmission electron microscope revealed evidently decreased lamellar bodies in type II alveolar epithelial cells leading to vacuolation in rats with ARDS. CONCLUSION: After proper isolation and purification, the morphological changes in type II alveolar epithelial cells can be more easily observed, and the changes in the lamellar bodies suggest that type II cells play an important role in ARDS.