Inhaled nitric oxide effects on lung structure and function in chronically ventilated preterm lambs.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) can reverse neonatal pulmonary hypertension and bronchoconstriction and reduce proliferation of cultured arterial and airway smooth muscle cells.

Objectives

To see if continuous iNO from birth might reduce pulmonary vascular and respiratory tract resistance (PVR, RE) and attenuate growth of arterial and airway smooth muscle in preterm lambs with chronic lung disease.

Methods

Eight premature lambs received mechanical ventilation for 3 weeks, four with and four without iNO (5-15 ppm). Four term lambs, mechanically ventilated without iNO for 3 weeks, served as additional control animals.

Measurements

PVR and RE were measured weekly. After 3 weeks, lung tissue was processed for quantitative image analysis of smooth muscle abunda

SUBMITTER: Bland RD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2718405 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature