Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Isolation of Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells from Neonatal Mice
08:02

Isolation of Pulmonary Artery Smooth Muscle Cells from Neonatal Mice

Published on: October 19, 2013

Antioxidants and neonatal lung disease

G A Russell1

  • 1Department of Child Health, St Michael's Hospital, Bristol, UK.

European Journal of Pediatrics
|January 1, 1994
PubMed

Insights

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in premature infants is linked to oxidant stress and low antioxidant levels. Antenatal steroids may help by boosting lung antioxidants and surfactant, offering a potential management strategy.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Biochemistry
  • Pulmonary Medicine

Background:

  • Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a persistent challenge in neonatal intensive care survivors.
  • Oxygen toxicity and an imbalance in the oxidant-antioxidant system are implicated in BPD pathogenesis.
  • Preterm infants exhibit insufficient antioxidant potential, making them vulnerable to oxidant stress at birth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the role of oxidant-antioxidant imbalance in BPD pathogenesis.
  • To investigate potential therapeutic strategies for managing BPD in preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on BPD, oxygen toxicity, and antioxidant mechanisms.
  • Analysis of the biochemical challenges in preterm neonates regarding oxidant stress.
  • Examination of the effects of antenatal steroid therapy on pulmonary antioxidants and surfactant.

Main Results:

  • Preterm infants are susceptible to significant oxidant stress due to inadequate antioxidant defenses.
  • Antenatal steroid administration has demonstrated potential in augmenting pulmonary antioxidants and surfactant production.
  • Exogenous antioxidant enzyme administration (e.g., superoxide dismutase, catalase) shows promise in animal models.

Conclusions:

  • Addressing the oxidant-antioxidant imbalance is crucial for managing preterm infants at risk for BPD.
  • Antenatal steroid therapy presents a promising approach to ameliorate this imbalance.
  • Further clinical research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of exogenous antioxidant therapies in humans.

More Related Videos

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs08:58

Development of a Neonatal Piglet Acute Lung Injury Model Recreating the Early Environment of Preterm Infant Lungs

Published on: October 31, 2025

Isolation of Lung Retinoid-Containing Cells by Cell Sorting07:47

Isolation of Lung Retinoid-Containing Cells by Cell Sorting

Published on: April 11, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Breathing01:05

Breathing

The process of breathing, inhaling and exhaling, involves the coordinated movement of the chest wall, the lungs, and the muscles that move them. Two muscle groups with important roles in breathing are the diaphragm, located directly below the lungs, and the intercostal muscles, which lie between the ribs. When the diaphragm contracts, it moves downward, increasing the volume of the thoracic cavity and creating more room for the lungs to expand. When the intercostal muscles contract, the ribs...
Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics01:23

Upper Respiratory Drugs: Antitussives, Expectorants, and Mucolytics

Respiratory symptoms, such as congestion and cough, commonly accompany respiratory tract conditions. Various medications, such as antitussives, expectorants, and mucolytics, play crucial roles in providing relief.
Antitussives include codeine, dextromethorphan (Robitussin), and benzonatate (Tessalon). Codeine and dextromethorphan exert their effects centrally by suppressing the cough reflex center in the medulla.  Benzonatate operates peripherally within the respiratory tract by anesthetizing...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology01:20

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-II: Pathophysiology

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) pathophysiology is intricate and multifaceted, involving a complex interplay of physiological processes. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for effectively managing and treating COPD. Here is an in-depth look at the critical elements in the pathophysiology of COPD:
Chronic Inflammation
Oxygen Requirements and Growth Patterns01:29

Oxygen Requirements and Growth Patterns

Microorganisms exhibit diverse oxygen requirements and growth patterns driven by their metabolic strategies and environmental adaptations. Oxygen, while essential for many organisms, can also be toxic under certain conditions, shaping how microorganisms grow and survive.Oxygen Requirements of MicroorganismsMicroorganisms are classified based on their ability to use or tolerate oxygen:● Obligate aerobes like Mycobacterium tuberculosis need oxygen for energy production, as it serves as the...