Understanding the Role of Exogenous and Endogenous Surfactants in Gas Embolism

摘要

Important pathological and biophysical processes occur at the gas-liquid interface created when a bubble is introduced into the bloodstream. The bubble-cell adhesion force and bubble surface tension play an important role in the cellular response to bubble contact, and research suggests that the use of exogenous surfactants, which reduce both the adhesion force and surface tension, confer significant protection against gas embolism. To better understand the role of the gas-liquid interface in the pathology of gas embolism, the motion of a freely convected bubble in a surfactant laden fluid was studied numerically and the adsorption of proteins and surfactants to the gas-liquid interface were studied experimentally. The numerical studies have elucidated complex relationships between the shear stress experienced by the endothelial cell layer in the blood vessel and the surface tension of the freely convected bubble. The experimental studies indicate that it is possible to prevent protein adsorption to the gas-liquid interface using exogenous surfactants. The gas-liquid interface is a unique and viable target for pharmacological intervention during gas embolism.