Abstract
We tested whether maternal administration of corticosteroids, thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), triiodothyronine (T3) or their combinations, would improve lung function of ventilated preterm newborn rabbits. Maternal corticosteroids and T3 treatments did not improve lung compliance; TRH did. The major effect observed was a large improvement in lung compliance following maternal treatment with corticosteroids plus TRH in animals treated with surfactant. These agents made the lung 'receptive' to the surfactant treatment. T3 did not improve lung function and no augmented response to surfactant was seen. None of the treated groups had surfactant pool sizes significantly different from controls. The mechanisms of action of corticosteroids and/or TRH seemed to be independent of changes in surfactant pool sizes.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 16s-20s |
Journal | European Respiratory Journal |
Volume | 1 |
Issue number | SUPPL. 3 |
State | Published - Jan 1 1989 |
Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine