Affiliations: Department of Neonatology, Aristotle University of
Thessaloniki, Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece | Departments of Physiology and Pediatrics, Temple
University School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19410, USA | Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, Capital
Medical University, Beijing, China | Cardiopulmonary Research Institute, Winthrop
University Hospital, Mineola, NY 11501, USA | Department of Newborn Medicine Tufts University School
of Medicine, Boston, MA 02110, USA | Nemours Lung Center, AI duPont Hospital for Children,
Wilmington, Delaware, DE 19899, USA
Note: [] b
Abstract: Perfluorochemical (PFC) liquids have been shown to support lung
function, uniformly distribute rhSOD and attenuate biomarkers of oxidative
damage and inflammation in a juvenile model of acute lung injury. The impact of
this approach on injury in the immature lung has not been evaluated. To test
the hypothesis that intratracheal PFC augmented rhSOD delivery will attenuate
lung injury, preterm lambs (n = 18; 123.4 ±
1.4 days gestation) were ventilated, and surfactant-treated. Lambs
were then randomized to receive intratracheal rhSOD (5 mg/kg) in saline
(n = 6) or PFC (n = 6), PFC
(n = 3), or surfactant alone (n = 3) and
studied for 4 hours. Cardiopulmonary parameters were monitored; lung
IL-1β, IL-8, myeloperoxidase, SOD activity, lipid
peroxidation, and lung morphology were assessed. Following surfactant
treatment, oxygenation improved and remained stable in all groups. Compared to
delivery in saline, PFC suspensions significantly increased the lung expansion
index and SOD activity and reduced lung IL-1β, IL-8,
myeloperoxidase, and isoprostane concentrations. These data demonstrate that
PFC augmented rhSOD delivery attenuates inflammation in surfactant-treated
immature lungs as compared to delivery in saline. We speculate that this
enhanced protection may be related to PFC liquid facilitating rhSOD
distribution and the mechanoprotective and cytoprotective properties of PFC
liquids.
