Phospholipid profile in tracheal aspirates of very preterm neonates: effect of prenatal betamethasone administration.

We compared the phospholipid profile in tracheal aspirates from surfactant-treated preterm neonates with and without prenatal betamethasone administration. We found higher phosphatidylglycerol concentrations and lower phosphatidylinositol and sphingomyelin concentrations in corticosteroid-treated preterms ( P < 0.01). We speculate that prenatal corticosteroids enhance biochemical surfactant phospholipid maturation.

Protein- and lipid modification of natural bovine surfactant. Effects in experimental lung failure with special consideration of the response in neonates.

UNLABELLED: Surfactant therapy does not lead to a uniform, optimal and sustained effect on gas exchange in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The aim of the present study therefore was to compare the effects of a lipid-enriched and protein-modified natural surfactant preparations with a licensed, clinically used bovine surfactant preparation - SF-Ril (Alveofact). METHODS: SF-Ril was enriched with phosphatidylglycerol, sphingomyeline, phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogen, phosphatidylethanolamine. Furthermore, SF-Ril was modified with increased surfactant protein B (SP-B)/surfactant protein C (SP-C) content and finally a mercaptoethanol (ME) treated preparation for breaking the sulfhydril bondage of SP-B/SP-C by chemical reduction in methylene chloride using ME was developed. Finally ME was removed by vacuum extraction. These modified surfactants were tested at a dosage of 100 mg/ kg each in a model of respiratory failure induced by lung lavage in male adult rats and compared with SF-Ril at an identical dosage. Mechanical ventilation was standardised with fraction of inspiratory oxygen (FiO2) 1.0 and time-cycled pressure limited ventilation 16/0.8 cmH2O before and 26/6 cmH2O (peak inspiratory pressure/positive endexpiratory pressure) after lung lavage (target arterial oxygen pressure [pa02] < 100 mmHg), respiratory rate 36/min, inspiration/expiration time ratio 1:2. RESULTS: During the observation period of 120 min, the sphingomyeline substituted and protein-modified (ME reduced) surfactant preparations exerted improved and sustained oxygenation compared with SF-Ril. Similar effects were observed for tidal volumes. All other preparations were equal or inferior to SF-Ril in our model. CONCLUSION: For the development of surfactant preparations less prone for inactivation the above mentioned data may provide useful information, provided they can be confirmed in further investigations employing other alternative models.