Erythropoietin may attenuate lung inflammation in a rat model of meconium aspiration syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation is believed to play a key role in the pathophysiology of meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The objective was to determine whether the recombinant human Erythropoietin (rhEPO) pretreatment could attenuate meconium-induced inflammation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 24 ventilated adult male rats were studied to examine the effects of recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) on meconium-induced inflammation. Seventeen rats were instilled with human meconium (1.5 mL/kg, 65 mg/mL) intratracheally and ventilated for 3 hours. rhEPO (1000 U/kg) (n = 9) or saline (n = 8) was given to the animals. Seven rats that were ventilated and not instilled with meconium served as a sham-controlled group. Analysis of the blood gases, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in blood and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid samples, and lung tissue myeloperoxidase levels were performed. RESULTS: Intrapulmonary instillation of meconium resulted in the increase of TNF-α (p = 0.005 and p < 0.001, respectively) and IL-8 concentrations (p < 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively) in BAL fluid in the EPO + meconium and saline + meconium groups compared with the sham-controlled group. rhEPO pretreatment prevented the increase of BAL fluid IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-8 levels (p < 0.001, p = 0.021, and p = 0.005, respectively), and serum IL-6 levels (p = 0.036). CONCLUSION: rhEPO pretreatment is associated with improved BAL fluid and serum cytokine levels. Pretreatment with rhEPO might reduce the risk of developing of meconium-induced derangements.