No description available.

No / Surfactants are commonly used as cleansing agents and yet there are concerns they may also have a role in skin irritation. Presently, the lack of suitable methods for quantitative and qualitative analysis of surfactant deposition on skin has hindered the in-depth investigation of such effects. Here, we report the application of reverse phase liquid chromatography electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (LC/ESI-MS/MS) assays for two surfactants commonly used in consumer products, namely sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES) and laurylamidopropyl betaine (LAPB), to a baseline study aiming to assess deposition levels on human skin. The linearity of the assays was established at 3-20 ng, with coefficient of variation below 5%. Detection limits were 100 pg for LAPB and 1 ng for SLES; quantitation limits were 500 pg for LAPB and 2.5 ng for SLES. The baseline study was conducted using a panel of 40 healthy volunteers. Skin extract samples were taken in triplicate from forearms, using ethanol. SLES was detected on most volunteers, with 75% of them having SLES deposits in the range of 100-600 ng/cm2. LAPB was detected on the skin of all volunteers with 85% of them having deposit levels within the concentration range of 1-100 ng/cm2. These results demonstrate the extent to which commonly used surfactants remain on the skin during the day. The analytical methods reported here can be applied to the investigation of surfactants in relation to general skin condition and the development and optimisation of new consumer wash products. / EPSRC

[pt] Ésteres de glicerol derivados de ácidos graxos são surfactantes não iônicos com aplicação como lubrificantes, agentes anti-estáticos, auxiliares de processamento, plastificantes, anti-espumas, agentes de dispersão e de outras aplicações que requerem atividade bifuncional. Os monoésteres de glicerol derivados de ácidos graxos naturais, tais como ácido octanóico (C menos 8), decanóico (C menos 10) e octadecanóico (C menos 18), foram sintetizados e caracterizados por técnicas de infravermelho e ressonância magnética nuclear de hidrogênio e carbono 13. Eles foram espalhados sobre uma subfase aquosa formando filmes de Langmuir em uma cuba de teflon. As propriedades interfaciais destes surfactantes foram investigadas na interface ar-água. Desta forma, foi também possível avaliar a isoterma de Langmuir Pi-A e as propriedades mecânicas das monocamadas através do módulo de compressão (Cs elevado a potencia negativa 1). As monocamadas mostraram um comportamento na fase de líquido expandido confirmado pelo módulo de compressão de 10 a 70 mN/m e na fase de líquido condensado confirmado pelo módulo de compressão de 70 a 175 mN/m. Por meio da espectroscopia de reflexão-absorção de infravermelho com fotomodulação (PM-IRRAS) e a microscopia no ângulo de Brewster (BAM) foi avaliada a organização dos filmes de Langmuir dos surfactantes. A elasticidade superficial dilatacional (E) dos filmes adsorvidos foram analisadas pelo método da gota pendente em um goniômetro. / [en] Fatty acid glycerol esters are non-ionic surfactants with application as lubricants, antistatic agents, processing aids, plasticizers, defoamers, dispersion aids and other applications requiring bifunctional activities. Monoesters of glycerol based on natural fatty acids such as octanoic acid (C less 8), decanoic acid (C less 10) and octadecanoic acid (C less 18), were synthesized and characterized by infrared and hydrogen nuclear magnetic resonance and carbon 13 nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. They were spread over the water subphase forming Langmuir films in a Teflon trough. The interfacial properties of these surfactants at the air/water interface have been investigated. Thus it was also possible to evaluate the Langmuir Pi-A isotherm and mechanical properties of the monolayers by calculating the compression modulus (Cs elevated to negative power 1). The monolayers showed a behavior in the expanded liquid phase, confirmed by the compression modulus between 10 and 70 mN/m and a behavior in the condensed liquid phase confirmed by the compression modulus between 70 and 175 mN/m. Through photomodulated-infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS) and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM) was evaluated organization of Langmuir films of surfactants. The surface dilatational elasticity (E) of the adsorbed films were analyzed by the pendant drop method with a goniometer apparatus.

Title: Self-assembly of polymers with amphiphilic compounds (surfactants) in aqueous solutions Abstract: This PhD Thesis is devoted to the co-assembly in systems containing electrically charged polymers (polyelectrolytes and block copolymers containing polyelectrolyte sequences). I studied the interactions between block copolymers and oppositely charged surfactants in aqueous solutions, and the structure and properties of co-assembled nanoparticles by a combination of several experimental methods. I found that the spontaneous formation, solubility and stability of complex nanoparticles depend not only on the electrostatic attractive forces but also on the hydrophobic effects. In a major part of my Thesis, I studied the interaction of polyelectrolytes with oppositely charged gemini surfactants (containing two charged head-groups interconnected by a short linker and two hydrophobic tails) which is a relatively new topic - much less studied than the co-assembly with conventional single tail surfactants. Better understanding of the formation and properties of complexes containing gemini surfactants and polymers provides knowledge that should lead to novel tailor-made nanoparticles with desired properties for applications in medicine and new technologies (including nano-technologies). We have shown that the...

Les recherches que nous présentons dans ce mémoire s'inscrivent dans le cadre du projet européen IBIOLAB[1] qui vise à la création de biolubrifiants écolabellisables. Tout d'abord, une approche d'ingénierie inverse a été réalisée pour déterminer le rôle des tensioactifs natifs des graines oléoprotéagineuses dans la stabilisation des oléosomes dans l'eau. Ceci a permis par la suite une approche générique avec la mise en œuvre d'un procédé intégré qui permet la libération des lipides sous forme émulsionnée. Une étape optionnelle consiste en l'hydrolyse enzymatique in situ des triglycérides. L'activité de la lipase utilisée a été évaluée lors d'une étude d'estérification des acides gras avec différents alcools par une méthode de séparation triphasique (TPP three-phase partitioning). / The present work was performed within the framework of the European project IBIOLAB* which aims to create environmentally friendly biolubricants (able to be eco-labelled). First of all, a reverse engineering methodology was developed to understand the role of oilseed native surfactants in the stability of oil-bodies in water. Subsequently, using a general approach, it was possible to develop a process that allows releasing the lipid fraction into an emulsion. If an in-situ enzymatic hydrolysis of triglycerides is added to this process, an emulsion containing the free fatty acids will be obtained. The activity of the remaining lipase in the emulsion was used to study the esterification of free fatty acids with different alcohols using a three-phase partitioning method.

Ce mémoire présente une étude physicochimique sur la réutilisation des fluides de mobilisation pour le traitement de sols contaminés. Cette recherche a été menée afin d’étudier l’efficacité de cette réutilisation et d’évaluer la réduction des coûts opérationnels et des impacts environnementaux. La première partie de ce travail est consacrée au traitement d’hydrocarbures lourds issus de créosote ou de goudrons dans des sols moyennement à fortement contaminés. Plusieurs stratégies ont été développées et évaluées tant pour la réutilisation et l’optimisation d’agents chimiques que pour l’efficacité du fluide de lavage. L’étude du mécanisme d’oxydation des hydrocarbures avec du persulfate a permis d’entrevoir la possibilité de réactions en cascades. Les procédés membranaires d’ultra- et de nano-filtration se sont révélés particulièrement attractifs car préservant l’activité des fluides de traitement après utilisation; Des mesures ont permis d’optimiser à la fois la récupération des substances actives et l’abattement des contaminants. L’étude du mécanisme de mobilisation des hydrocarbures par des mousses de surfactant a montré que les hydrocarbures lourds sont majoritairement extraits dans la phase gazeuse de l’émulsion eau-air. Ces différentes stratégies ont été évaluées au cours de campagnes de terrain. La deuxième partie concerne la réutilisation de solutions diluées d’agents chélatants pour extraire, puis immobiliser des cations métalliques divalents. Plusieurs agents chélatants de la famille des polyaminocarboxylates ont été évalués. La régénération des ligands à partir de résines chélatantes ou de FeS a été évaluée à travers de nombreux cycles de réutilisation / This thesis presents a physico-chemical study devoted to the reuse of remediation fluids for contaminated soil treatment. The aim of this research project was to study the reuse efficiency and to evaluate the reduction of operational costs and environmental impacts. The first part was focused on the treatment of moderately to highly contaminated soils by heavy hydrocarbons from creosote or tar. Several strategies have been developed and evaluated for reuse and optimization of chemical agents. The oxidation mechanism of hydrocarbons with persulphate highlights possible cascade reactions. Ultra- and nanofiltration processes were particularly attractive for activity safe of used treatment fluids; Measurements have been optimized for both active substances recovery and contaminants reduction. The study of hydrocarbons mobilization mechanism by surfactant foams showed that the heavier hydrocarbons are mainly extracted into gaseous phase of water-air emulsion. The different strategies were evaluated during field campaigns. The second part deals with the reuse of chelating agents dilute solutions to extract and then immobilize divalent metal cations. Several chelating agents of polyaminocarboxylates family were evaluated. Regeneration of ligands from chelating resins or FeS was evaluated for many reuse cycles.

Les mousses polymères appartiennent à la famille des mousses solides qui sont des matériaux polyvalents, largement utilisés dans un grand nombre d'applications telles que l'automobile, l'emballage, produits de sport, isolants thermiques et acoustiques ou l'ingénierie tissulaire. Composé de bulles d'air piégées dans un réseau continu solide, elles allient les propriétés du polymère avec ceux de la mousse pour créer un matériau intéressant et complexe. L'intégration d'une mousse dans un réseau de polymère permet non seulement d'utiliser la vaste gamme de propriétés intéressantes offertes par les polymères, mais permet aussi de profiter des propriétés avantageuses des mousse telles que la légèreté, la faible densité, la compressibilité et un rapport surface/volume grande surface élevé. En général, les propriétés des mousses polymères sont fortement liées à leur densité et leur structure (la taille des bulles, l’arrangement des bulles dans l’espace, la structure des cellules ouvertes ou fermées). Le contrôle des propriétés finales de ces mousses est donc régi par le contrôle de sa densité et sa structure.Nous avons développé une technique dans laquelle des mousses solides sont générées essentiellement suivant un processus à deux étapes dans lequel une mousse liquide suffisamment stable ayant des propriétés bien contrôlées est générée dans une première étape, puis solidifiée. Avec une telle approche, la production des mousses solides peut être divisé en un certain nombre de sous-tâches qui peuvent être contrôlées et optimisées séparément.Le passage de l'état liquide à l'état solide est essentiellement composé de trois étapes principales: la production de la mousse, le mélange des réactifs et la solidification de la mousse. Ce dernier nécessite l'optimisation de la stabilité de la mousse et des paramètres expérimentaux tels que le choix du temps de moussage et de solidification. En outre, une bonne homogénéité de la mousse polymère appelle à un bon mélange des différents réactifs impliqués dans la formulation de la mousse et de la polymérisation.Une illustration des avantages de cette approche est donnée par la solidification de mousses liquides monodisperses générées à l’aide de la technique millifluidique. Dans une telle mousse, des bulles de volume égal, s’auto-organisent sous l’effet de la gravité et du confinement pour former des structures cristallines. Ainsi, les mousses monodisperses permettent d’avoir un contrôle simultanément sur la taille et la distribution des bulles du matériau poreux final, ce qui donne lieu à une meilleure compréhension de la corrélation entre sa structure et ses propriétés. L’objectif de cette étude est donc d'explorer le nouveau spectre de propriétés, que des mousses polymère offrent lorsque l’on y introduit une structure ordonnée et de démontrer la faisabilité de cette approche à deux étapes pour différentes classes de polymères (hydrogel, polymère super-absorbant et polyuréthane).La génération de ces mousses polymères structurées a été réalisée à l’aide d’un laboratoire sur puce qui permet le rétrécissement des dispositifs expérimentaux à l'échelle micro / millimétrique. Il permet également l’injection et le mélange divers ingrédients liquides et gazeux de la mousse. / Polymer foams belong to the solid foams family which are versatile materials, extensively used for a large number of applications such as automotive, packaging, sport products, thermal and acoustic insulators, tissue engineering or liquid absorbents. Composed of air bubbles entrapped in a continuous solid network, they combine the properties of the polymer with those of the foam to create an intriguing and complex material. Incorporating a foam into a polymer network not only allows one to use the wide range of interesting properties that the polymer offers, but also permits to profit from the advantageous properties of foam including lightness, low density, compressibility and high surface-to-volume ratio. Generally, the properties of polymer foams are strongly related to their density and their structure (bubble size and size distribution, bubble arrangement, open vs closed cells). Having a good control over foam properties is thus achieved by first controlling its density and structure.We developed a technique in which solid foams are generated essentially in a two-step process: a sufficiently stable liquid foam with well-controlled structural properties is generated in a first step, and then solidified in a second one. With such a two-step approach, the generation of solid foams can be divided into a number of well-separated sub-tasks which can be controlled and optimised separately. The transition from liquid to solid state is a sensitive issue of a great importance and therefore needs to be controlled with sufficient accuracy. It is essentially composed of three key steps: foam generation, mixing of reactants and foam solidification and requires the optimisation of foam stability in conjunction with an appropriate choice of both foaming time and solidification time. Furthermore, a good homogeneity of the polymer foam calls for a good mixing of the different reactants involved in the foaming and the polymerisation.A particularly powerful demonstration of the advantages of this approach is given by solidifying monodisperse liquid foams generated using millifluidic technique, in which all bubbles have the same size. In a liquid foam, equal-volume bubbles self-order into periodic, close-packed structures under gravity or confinement. As such, monodisperse foams provide simultaneous control over the size and the organisation of the pores in the final solid with an accuracy which is expected to give rise to a better understanding of the structure-property relationship of porous solids and to the development of new porous materials.We therefore aim to explore the new spectrum of properties, which polymer foams offer when we introduce an ordered structure into them since the most widely used polymer foams nowadays have disordered structures. The goal of our study is to demonstrate the feasibility of this two-step approach for different classes of polymers, including biomolecular hydrogel, superabsorbent polymer and polyurethane.For the generation of the structured polymer foams we use Lab-on-a-Chip technologies which allow the “shrinking” of large-scale set-ups to micro/millimetic scale. It permits also to perform “flow chemistry” in which the various liquid and gaseous ingredients of the foam are injected and mixed in a purpose-designed network of the micro- and millifluidic Lab-on-a-Chip. We adjust this approach according to the requirements of each polymer system, i.e. the foaming and the mixing techniques are chosen to fit the properties of each system, and can be exchanged to fit the properties of the studied systems.

O tratamento de esgotos é essencial à manutenção de suprimento de água nos centros urbanos em condições desejáveis à saúde pública. A carência de saneamento em nosso país mostra a necessidade de alternativas tecnológicas para o tratamento de esgotos. Na busca de novas opções, iniciou-se na CETESB em 1983, o estudo de sistemas compactos para tratamento direto de esgotos pela via anaeróbia. O reator anaeróbio de fluxo ascendente e manto de lodo (reator UASB) foi estudado em escala piloto e mostrou-se viável e eficiente, levando à necessidade de se efetuar o aumento de escala para o completo desenvolvimento da tecnologia. Um reator UASB de 120 m3 foi construído. Durante sete anos (de 1987 a 1993) funcionou sob observação, o que possibilitou o domínio da tecnologia. O sistema operou à temperatura ambiente em três períodos distintos. No primeiro período estudou-se as eficiências de remoção de matéria orgânica e a produção de gás e de lodo. Com tempo de retenção hidráulica médio de 6,5 horas, obteve-se efluente com 113 mg DQO/L, 48 mg DBO/L e 39 mg SST/L. As eficiências de remoção de DQO, DBO e SST foram respectivamente de 59, 65 e 76 por cento. A remoção de Coliformes totais e fecais ficou entre 70 e 90 por cento. Sua desinfecção através de métodos convencionais como cloração, ozonização ou radiação ultravioleta mostrou-se eficiente, a exemplo da maioria dos sistemas secundários de tratamento de efluentes. Obteve-se como fator de produção de lodo 0,2 kg ST/kg DQO da alimentação, sendo esta baixa produção de lodo uma das grandes vantagens do processo anaeróbio tendo em vista o custo e o trabalho que representam o tratamento e disposição do lodo no tratamento de esgotos. A produção de gás foi de 120 NL/kg de DQO alimentado. Efetuou-se também o acompanhamento microbiológico do lodo através de metodologia específica de acompanhamento de biomassa de biodigestores, o que possibilitou o aprimoramento dos conhecimentos da formação da biomassa no decorrer do processo. No segundo período de operação comprovou-se os resultados obtidos no primeiro período. No terceiro período de operação, apoiando-se nas técnicas de análise microbiológica da biomassa, estudou-se a partida a fim de diminuir o tempo para se atingir o regime estacionário. A utilização de inóculo não adaptado, como o lodo de esgoto de reator convencional, requer três a quatro meses para atingir o estado estacionário, com as eficiências relatadas. A partir da experiência adquirida são efetuadas recomendações e considerações para dimensionamento, partida, operação, manutenção e monitoramento para servir como guia aqueles que forem utilizar esta nova tecnologia. Após a partida o sistema apresenta reprodutibilidade, confiabilidade e estabilidade de operação. O controle do sistema, quando se trata de esgoto doméstico, é bastante simples, necessitando apenas remoção periódica de lodo, além da manutenção e limpeza. Há necessidade de remoção periódica de escuma. O dimensionamento do reator sofreu aperfeiçoamentos para melhorar a separação das três fases sólida, líquida e gasosa. Além dos critérios adotados anteriormente a partir do reator piloto de 106 L que possibilitou o estabelecimento de critérios como velocidade superficial no decantador de O,7 m3/m2/h, velocidade do líquido através da abertura inferior do decantador de 5 m3/m2/h e inclinação das paredes do decantador de 50°, observou-se que o transpasse entre a parede do decantador e do defletor de gases deve ter no mínimo 15 em para assegurar que o gás não desvie para dentro do decantador. O limite de velocidade no corpo do reator não deve ultrapassar 1 m3/m2h para garantir o acúmulo de lodo no reator. O lodo apresentou granulação com diâmetros de até 2 mm. Os processos de pós tratamento que vem sendo testados dão os polimentos necessários e adequados às diversas condições de reuso ou descarte do efluente. O sistema é hoje relativamente bastante utilizado, quando se leva em conta os parcos investimentos havidos no setor nos últimos anos. No Estado de São Paulo, a aplicação desta tecnologia foi efetuada através de um convênio entre a CETESB e o DAE-Sumaré, no Jardim Santa Maria, um loteamento de 1500 habitantes. Esse trabalho, mostrou a viabilidade de sua aplicação e comprovou os resultados obtidos, assim como várias experiências realizadas por outras instituições com processo anaeróbio também o demonstraram. No Estado do Paraná, o processo anaeróbio tem sido empregado sistematicamente para o tratamento de esgotos pela Companhia de Saneamento daquele Estado, a SANEPAR. A divulgação dessas experiências e de tantas outras existentes, deve proporcionar a confiança na tecnologia possibilitando sua expansão e a melhoria da qualidade de nossas águas. / Sewage treatment is essential to water supplying in urban nuclei with desirable conditions of public health. The lack of sanitation in our country shows the necessity of sewage treatment technologies compatible to our reality. Searching for new technologies, CETESB has started in 1983, the study of new compact anaerobic treatment systems for sewage. The UASB reactor was studied in pilot scale showing the need of scaling up for it\'s complete technological development. For this purpose a 120m3 UASB reactor was built. During seven years (from 1987 to 1993) the system worked with methodological observation, which made possible the mastering of the technology. The system operated at ambient temperature in three distinct periods. In the first one the performance of organic matter removal and the gas and sludge production were studied. The results showed effluent with 113 mg COD/L, 48 mg BOD/L and 39 mg SST/L with 6.5 hours of hydraulic retention time. The COD, BOD and SST removal performances were respectively 59, 65 and 76 per cent. The faecal and total Coliform removal showed values between 70 and 90 per cent. The effluent disinfection by conventional methods as chlorination, ozonation and ultra violet radiation has showed to be efficient, as the majority of effluent secondary treatment systems. The sludge production was 0.2 kg ST/kg COD in the feed. This low sludge production is one of the biggest advantages of the anaerobic process, in view of the costly and great disturbances that represent the sludge treatment and disposal in the sewage treatment. The gas production was 120 NL/kg COD of the feed. The biomass growth was followed by means of a microbilogical analysis specially developed for biodigesters sludge. In the second operation period the results were confirmed. In the third operation period, also followed by means of microbiological technical analysis, the shortening of the start up time was studied. It was found that starting up with unacclimatized inoculum, the stationary condition takes three to four months to be achieved, with the performances related. Based on the experience gathered, recommendations are made for system design, start up, operation, maintenance and monitoring. After the start up, the system shows reproducibility, reliability and stable operation. For essentially domestic sewage, the control system is very simple, necessitating only periodical sludge removal in addition to the maintenance activities. There is necessity of periodically scum removal. The design of the reactor was changed to improve the separation of solid, liquid and gaseous phases. Besides the design criteria described before, based on pilot scale experience, such as surface velocity in the settler area of O.7 m3/m2.h, liquid velocity in the lower aperture of the settling chamber 5 m3/m2.h with minimum HRT of four hours and slope of settling chamber walls of 50°, it was observed that it needs 15 cm in the crossing between the settler wall and the gas deflector to assure no gas deviation to the settler compartment. The maximum upflow velocity in the reactor body is 1 m3/m2.h to warrant retention of sludge in the reactor. Pellets in sludge presented up to 2 mm in diameter. Post-treatments may be necessary to give the effluent the appropriated conditions for its reuse or discharge. Today, the system is quite used in Brazil, taking in account the low investments in the sector. In the State of Sao Paulo, an example of this technology transfer is the agreement signed by CETESB and DAE-Sumaré, at \"Jardim Sta. Maria\", a small community of 1500 inhabitants. This work confirmed the results obtained and showed the feasibility of its application. Other experiences made by other institutions with anaerobic process confirmed them as well. In the State of Parana, the anaerobic process has been employed systematically for sewage treatment by the State Sanitation Company. The diffusion of this experiences and of many others existing might provide the confidence in the technology, enabling its expansion and the improvement of the quality of our waters.

A Sindrome do Desconforto Respiratório Agudo (SDRA) apresenta alta taxa de mortalidade em UTI. Sua principal característica é alteração da permeabilidade da membrana alvéolo capilar, com liberação de agentes inflamatórios, disfunção de surfactantes e da aeração pulmonar, queda da complacência e dos níveis de oxigenação. Frequentemente evolui com necessidade de suporte ventilatório. Vários modelos experimentais foram propostos na tentativa de reproduzir as mesmas característica da SDRA encontradas em pacientes, porém com pouco sucesso. Tem sido difícil reproduzir modelos estáveis, e por períodos prolongados. Assim, o nosso objetivo foi validar um novo modelo de SDRA, submetido a um período de observação e estabilização de 40 horas de ventilação mecânica protetora, testando a reprodutibilidade das principais características da apresentação clínica da SDRA. Realizamos o estudo em suínos, divididos em 3 grupos : SHAM (não submetido a Lesão), LESÃO (submetido a lavagem total pulmonar e ventilação lesiva por 3 horas) e VMP40 (submetido a Lesão e 40hs de ventilação protetora segundo a estratégia ARDSNET). Observamos que os níveis de PaO2 e complacência tiveram queda significativa após a lesão mantendo esta queda ao final de 40 horas. Os níveis de citocinas IL1, IL8 e IL6 tiveram um aumento significativa logo após a lesão, mantendo aumento significativo de IL1 e IL8 nas 40 horas de observação. Os níveis de polimorfonuclear no bal também tiveram um aumento significante, mantido nas 40 horas. Uma significativa alteração da permeabilidade alveolo-capilar foi demonstrada pelo aumento de proteínas no lavado broncoalveolar, aumento da água extravascular pulmonar, e aumento da relação peso seco/úmido que foram persistentes após 40hs da estratégia protetora ARDSnet. A lesão histológica foi evindenciada pela presença de todos os componentes clássicos: membrana hialina, hemorragia alveolar, infiltrado inflamatório e edema alveolar, também mantidos por 40hs. Conclusão: O modelo desenvolvido apresentou características clínicas e fisiopatológicas similares a pacientes com SDRA grave, mantidas por um período de 40 horas de ventilação protetora, mostrando assim que este modelo pode ser utilizado para estudos de SDRA e estratégias de ventilação mecânica protetora por período prolongado / The Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) has high mortality in the ICU. Its main features comprise the disruption of the alveolo-capillary membrane with permeability alterations, release of inflammatory agents, and physiological dysfunctions like surfactant function degradation, loss of compliance and reduced PaO2 levels demanding ventilatory support. Several experimental models were developed in an attempt to simulate the same characteristics of ARDS in patients, but could not reproduce the complex, florid characteristics or the persistent damage for long periods. This study aimed to validate a new ARDS model in our laboratory, submited to an stabilization/observation period of 40 hours period of protective mechanical ventilation (according to the protective ARDSnet strategy), during which we tested the persistence of the main physiopathological characteristics of ARDS. We conducted the study in pigs divided into 3 groups : SHAM (not injured), INJURY (total lung lavage and injurious mechanical ventilation for 3hs) and MVP40 (injury protective mechanical ventilation for aditional 40hs-ARDSNET strategy). Respiratory-system compliance and PaO2 significantly decreased after injury, with a persistent drop till the end of 40hs. The levels of IL1, IL6 and IL8 cytokines presented a significant increase immediately after injury, with persistent levels of IL1 and IL8 after 40hs. Polymorphonuclear cells in the BAL were also increased after injury, with persistent levels after 40 hours. Gross alterations in the alveolo-capillary permeability were demonstrated by increased levels of proteins in the bronchoalveolar lavage, increased extravascular lung water and an increased wet/dry lung-weight ratio that remained elevated after 40hs of protective strategy. Histological injury was confirmed by visualization of hyaline membranes, frequent alveolar hemorrhage, alveolar edema and massive inflammatory infiltration. Conclusion: The proposed model reproduced the clinical and phisiopathological alterations found in patients with ARDS. The alterations persisted for at least 40hs of protective ventilation strategy. Thus, this model can be used for long term studies of ARDS and protective ventilation strategies

O surfactante pulmonar é uma substância fundamental na mecânica pulmonar, com atividade biofísica e de proteção alveolar por reduzir a tensão superficial e impedir o seu colabamento.Na síndrome do desconforto respiratório tipo agudo(SDRA) ocorre uma diminuição quantitativa e disfunção qualitativa do surfactante com agravamento do quadro clínico.Estudamos, em um modelo experimental de SDRA em coelho adulto, os efeitos da adição de polietilenoglicol ao surfactante pulmonar exógeno quanto à melhora da complacência pulmonar,pressão ventilatória,índice de oxigenação,diferença alvéolo-arterial de oxigênio,gradiente alvéolo-arterial de oxigênio pressão arteial parcial de CO2, pelo índice de eficiência ventilatória,diâmetro alveolar médio e índice de distorção.A utilização do surfactante melhorou a oxigenação, e a mecânica pulmonar, sem no entanto, haver diferença entre os grupos surfactante e surfactante mais polietilenoglicol / Lung surfactant is a fundamental substance in lung mechanics, with biophysical activity to reduce alveolar surface tension and to avoid pulmonary collapse. In the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) occurs a quantitative and qualitative surfactant dysfunction with worsening of clinical status. We study, in an experimental model of ARDS in adult rabbit, the effects of polyethyeneglycol addition to the exogenous surfactant to improve the pulmonary compliance, ventilatory pressure, oxygenation index, arterial-alveolar oxygen ratio , alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient, carbon dioxide partial arterial pressure, ventilatory efficiency index , alveolar medium diameter and ditorsion index. Surfactant treatment improved arterial oxygenation and the lung mechanics, with no differences between the study groups