In vitro effect of meconium on the physical surface properties and morphology of exogenous pulmonary surfactant
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1Department of Pediatrics, Masan Samsung Hospital, Asan Medical Center, Masan, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract:
The pathophysiology of meconium aspiration syndrome(MAS) is related to mechanical obstruction of the airways and to chemical pneumonitis. Meconium is also suggested to cause functional deterioration of pulmonary surfactant. Recent studies have reported that meconium inhibits the physical surface properties of pulmonary surfactant, and that administration of exogenous surfactant may provide therapeutic benefits in animal models or infants with respiratory distress due to MAS. To assess the effects of meconium on physical surface properties, especially the changes on the air-liquid interface and hypophase of pulmonary surfactant in vitro, we studied the following findings; a) the surface spreading rate(SSR) and the surface adsorption rate(SAR), b) the viscosity, c) the electron microscopic changes, on a series of mixtures with various concentrations of lyophilized human meconium and Surfactant-TA(SurfactenTM). The human meconium has significantly increased the surface tension of SSR and the viscosity of pulmonary surfactant, but had decreased the surface pressure of SAR of surfactant, and changed the electron microscopic findings of surfactant. We have concluded that these findings support the concept that meconium-induced surfactant dysfunction may play a role in the pathophysiology of MAS.
Insights
Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) involves airway obstruction and lung inflammation. Meconium impairs pulmonary surfactant function, suggesting surfactant therapy could benefit infants with MAS.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal respiratory distress
- Pulmonary surfactant function
- Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) pathophysiology
Background:
- Meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS) pathophysiology involves airway obstruction and chemical pneumonitis.
- Meconium may impair pulmonary surfactant's physical surface properties.
- Exogenous surfactant administration shows therapeutic potential in MAS models.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate in vitro the effects of human meconium on pulmonary surfactant's physical surface properties.
- To analyze changes in surface spreading rate (SSR), surface adsorption rate (SAR), viscosity, and electron microscopic morphology.
- To assess meconium's impact on the air-liquid interface and hypophase of pulmonary surfactant.
Main Methods:
- Mixtures of lyophilized human meconium and Surfactant-TA (SurfactenTM) were prepared at various concentrations.
- Surface spreading rate (SSR) and surface adsorption rate (SAR) were measured.
- Viscosity and electron microscopic changes of surfactant were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Human meconium significantly increased the surface tension of SSR and the viscosity of pulmonary surfactant.
- Meconium decreased the surface pressure of SAR for surfactant.
- Electron microscopy revealed alterations in surfactant morphology due to meconium exposure.
Conclusions:
- Meconium significantly alters the physical surface properties of pulmonary surfactant.
- These alterations support the hypothesis that meconium-induced surfactant dysfunction contributes to MAS pathophysiology.
- Findings suggest a potential therapeutic target for MAS treatment.