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Aminophylline treatment in meconium-induced acute lung injury in a rabbit model
D Mokra1, J Mokry, Z Tatarkova
1Department of Physiology, Jessenius Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University, Martin, Slovakia. mokra@jfmed.uniba.sk
Abstract:
Administration of methylxanthines may diminish meconium-induced acute lung injury. Meconium-instilled rabbits intravenously received aminophylline (2.0 mg/kg) at two doses 0.5 h and 2.5 h after meconium instillation or were left without treatment, and were oxygen-ventilated for additional 5 h. At the end of experiment, lungs and trachea were excised. Within 5 h after the first dose of treatment, aminophylline significantly improved gas exchange and decreased right-to-left pulmonary shunts, central venous pressure, and ventilatory pressures. Moreover, aminophylline reduced meconium-induced lung edema formation, airway hyperreactivity to histamine, count of neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid associated with higher total white blood cells and neutrophils in the blood, and diminished oxidative modifications of proteins and lipids in lung tissue compared with the non-treated meconium-instilled group. In a rabbit model of the meconium aspiration syndrome, aminophylline treatment enhanced pulmonary functions and alleviated oxidative injury and changes in airway reactivity related to lung inflammation.
Insights
Aminophylline administration can reduce lung injury caused by meconium aspiration syndrome in rabbits. This treatment improved lung function and decreased inflammation and oxidative stress.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) is a severe complication in newborns.
- MAS can lead to acute lung injury, inflammation, and oxidative stress.
- Methylxanthines are being investigated for their potential therapeutic effects in MAS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of aminophylline in mitigating meconium-induced acute lung injury in a rabbit model.
- To assess the impact of aminophylline on pulmonary function, inflammation, and oxidative stress in MAS.
Main Methods:
- Rabbits were instilled with meconium and subsequently treated with intravenous aminophylline (2.0 mg/kg) at two time points or received no treatment.
- Animals were oxygen-ventilated for 5 hours post-treatment.
- Pulmonary function, gas exchange, airway reactivity, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress markers in lung tissue were assessed.
Main Results:
- Aminophylline treatment significantly improved gas exchange and reduced pulmonary shunts, central venous pressure, and ventilatory pressures.
- The treatment decreased lung edema, airway hyperreactivity to histamine, and neutrophil counts in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid.
- Aminophylline also diminished oxidative modifications of proteins and lipids in lung tissue.
Conclusions:
- Aminophylline demonstrates a protective effect against meconium-induced acute lung injury in a rabbit model.
- Treatment with aminophylline enhances pulmonary function and alleviates inflammation and oxidative injury associated with MAS.
