| Abstract: | We assessed the mechanics and morphology of the lung in 165 rats treated neonatally with either room air (RA), O2, RA + steroids, or O2, + steroids. Newborn Sprague-Dawley male rats were randomly assigned to these groups. O2,-exposure (0.96-1.0 FiO2 lasted 5 days, and dexamethasone treatment consisted of eight daily S.C. injections of drug or buffer in successive doses of 0.5,0.4.0.3,0.2,0.1, 0.1. 0.1. and 0.1 mg/kg. At 58 days, right ventricular systolic pressure (RVP) was measured. At 60 days, all rats were sacrificed for obtaining lung weight and DNA, saline pressure-volume (P-V) curves, and morphometry. We weighed right ventricles (RV) and left ventricles + septa (LV). Hyperoxia alone did not, but steroid decreased survival rate to 79.4% (95.3% in RA rats, P < 0.02). Only 21 of 40 (52%) O2 + steroids rats survived, less than in both RA groups (P < 0.001). RV weight, RVP and muscularization of alveolar duct arteries were significantly increased in O2 vs. RA rats. In RA + steroids rats, weight of the LV was decreased but RV, RVP, and lung vasculature were not affected. These effects were additive in the O2 + steroid group. Wet lung weights and DNA were increased for RA + steroid rats over all others. O2 and steroids shifted the P-V curve to the left and O2+ steroids still further. Maximal lung volume increased significantly with RA + steroids and still further in O2 + steroids but not in O2 alone. O2 and steroids significantly increased the mean linear intercept and O2 + steroids even more so. In O2- and steroid-treated rats, the parenchymal air space increased. In conclusion, both neonatal hyperoxia and steroid administration caused aberrations in the growth of lung and connective tissue. The effects of the two were additive. The vascular system, maximal lung volume, and DNA responded differently, presumably by different modes of action. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1993; 16:81–88. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc. |
