Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
Closed System Cell Culture Protocol Using HYPERStack Vessels with Gas Permeable Material Technology
Published on: November 29, 2010
Growth and development in a heliox incubator environment: a long-term safety study
Clifford J Singhaus1, Levon H Utidjian, Robert E Akins
1Nemours Research Lung Center, Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children/Nemours Research Lung Center, Wilmington, DE 19803, USA.
Insights
Heliox gas is safe for neonates with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), showing no negative effects on growth or development. This finding supports further clinical trials for BPD treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Respiratory medicine
- Pediatric pulmonology
Background:
- Mechanical ventilation can lead to bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in neonates.
- BPD increases energy expenditure, potentially hindering growth and development.
- Heliox therapy may improve pulmonary function and reduce energy demands.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the safety of heliox exposure in a neonatal model.
- To assess heliox's impact on growth, development, and physiological parameters.
- To determine if heliox supports sustained growth in a BPD-relevant context.
Main Methods:
- Neonatal rabbit pups were randomized into control or heliox groups.
- Animals were raised for 14 days under controlled environmental conditions.
- Developmental milestones, growth parameters, blood chemistry, and tissue/muscle analysis were conducted.
Main Results:
- All pups in both groups thrived and met developmental milestones.
- No significant differences were observed in weight, growth factors, or tissue/muscle characteristics.
- Blood chemistry and muscle enzyme activity remained within normal physiological ranges.
Conclusions:
- Long-term heliox exposure demonstrated safety in the studied rabbit model.
- No adverse effects on growth or development were detected.
- Heliox may offer a therapeutic window for pulmonary improvement in BPD neonates, justifying clinical trials.
Background:
Neonates exposed to mechanical ventilation may develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). BPD neonates exhibit a 25-30% increase in energy expenditure which may decrease the rate of growth and development. Heliox has been shown to improve pulmonary function and may decrease energy expenditure. We hypothesized that heliox would provide a safe environment for sustained growth and development.
Objective:
To assess the safety of the heliox environment we observed developmental milestones; recorded changes in weight, total length, limb length and head circumference; measured blood chemistries; compared primary organ and muscle weights, and analyzed muscle enzymatic activity.
Design/Methods:
Four-day-old rabbit pups (n = 27) were randomized into control (21% O(2); 79% N(2)) or heliox (21% O(2); 79% He) groups, then raised for 14 days at 26.7 degrees C and 50% relative humidity. Pups were euthanized on day 14, blood drawn and primary organs, diaphragm and gastrocnemius weighed and snap-frozen.
Results:
All pups thrived in both environments, achieving expected developmental milestones. There were no physiologically significant group differences in weight, growth factors, tissue weight, blood chemistry or muscle enzyme activity.
Conclusions:
No observed long-term differences in growth or development. RESULTS demonstrated that long-term heliox exposure is safe in this rabbit model. These data suggest that heliox administration may provide time for pulmonary improvement in the BPD population, warranting appropriate clinical trials.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Oxygen Requirements and Growth Patterns
01:16Oxygen Delivering System II: Venturi Mask and Transtracheal Oxygen
Venturi Mask
The Venturi mask, named after the Venturi effect, is designed to deliver precise oxygen concentrations. It consists of a large tube with an oxygen inlet that narrows down, causing a pressure drop that pulls air in through adjustable side ports. The mask is a lightweight,...