Non-invasive respiratory support attenuates lung damage in a murine model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease primarily affecting preterm infants exposed to prolonged oxygen therapy and mechanical ventilation. This study investigates the potential effects of a non-invasive respiratory support strategy, Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) on lung function and histopathological changes in a hyperoxia-induced murine model of BPD. The aim is to determine whether non-invasive respiratory support can attenuate lung damage caused by hyperoxia. In this study, mice were exposed to hyperoxia (60% O₂) and treated with non-invasive respiratory support. Histopathological analysis was conducted to evaluate alveolar simplification and septal thickening to assess structural injury and repair. Lung function was evaluated using key parameters including static lung compliance (Cst), airway resistance (Rrs), respiratory system elastance (Ers), and other parameters to assess mechanical properties. Additionally, the experimental findings indicate that non-invasive respiratory support treatment produced a robust preservation of lung function, with strong maintenance of compliance (Cst; p = 0.0416) and marked reductions in airway elastance (Ers; p = 0.0022) and resistance. Histological analyses revealed substantial attenuation of alveolar injury (MLI; p = 0.0028), clear reduction in septal thickening, and pronounced suppression of pathological structural remodeling (septal thickness; p < 0.0001) in treated mice compared with hyperoxia-exposed controls (60% O₂).These results indicate non-invasive respiratory support not only enhances pulmonary mechanics but also mitigates hyperoxia-induced structural damage, offering insights into its potential application in managing BPD in preterm infants. This study highlights the significance of non-invasive ventilation strategies in reducing the severity of BPD and potentially improving outcomes.