Effects of combined hyperoxia and cyclooxygenase inhibition in neonatal rat lungs

Katherine M Kuniyoshi1, Romy S Brock, Bisrat H Gebrekristos

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine, University of California Irvine, Irvine, CA.kmiyokok@yahoo.com

Insights

Ibuprofen and indomethacin treatments in newborn rats did not improve oxidative stress markers. Ibuprofen suppressed nitric oxide production, potentially explaining transient pulmonary hypertension in preterm infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal physiology
  • Pharmacology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) is a critical condition in preterm infants.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen are sometimes associated with PPHN.
  • The underlying mechanisms, particularly involving oxidative stress and nitric oxide (NO) signaling, require further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the hypothesis that NSAID-induced PPHN is linked to altered oxidative stress and NO signaling pathways.
  • To compare the effects of early versus late administration of indomethacin and ibuprofen on neonatal lung development and related biomarkers.

Main Methods:

  • Newborn rats were exposed to hyperoxia (50% O2) or room air.
  • Animals received early or late intraperitoneal injections of indomethacin, ibuprofen, or saline.
  • Lung tissue was analyzed for biomarkers of oxidative stress (8-epi-PGF2a), DNA damage (8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine), and pulmonary hypertension (ET-1, big ET-1, NO).

Main Results:

  • Both indomethacin and ibuprofen increased alveolar size, irrespective of treatment timing or oxygen exposure.
  • Neither drug demonstrated beneficial effects on oxidative stress markers.
  • Indomethacin in hyperoxia increased pulmonary 8-epi-PGF2alpha, with differential effects on antioxidant genes based on treatment timing.
  • Ibuprofen suppressed hyperoxia-induced NOx production and downregulated inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS).

Conclusions:

  • NSAID treatment in neonatal rats did not mitigate oxidative stress.
  • Ibuprofen's suppression of pulmonary NOx production may contribute to the transient PPHN observed in treated preterm infants.
  • Treatment timing did not significantly alter the biomolecular effects on oxidative stress and NO signaling.

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