Betamethasone Increases Pulmonary Compliance in Part by Surfactant-Independent Mechanisms in Preterm Rabbits

摘要: ABSTRACT. Antenatal exposure to corticosteroids is known increase the pulmonary compliance of preterm animals. We wished determine whether this was due solely alteration in lung surfactant content. Rabbit does were injected with either vehicle alone or betamethasone on days 25 and 26 gestation. Fetuses delivered at 27 given 50% lactated Ringer's intratracheal natural prior their first breath. mechanically ventilated a tidal volume 12 ml/kg for 60 min periodic measurements. Following ventilation an alveolar lavage collected phosphatidylcholine determination. Some fetuses did not undergo but had saline studies instead. higher dynamic than exposed antenatal (0.55 ± 0.01 versus 0.48 0.02 ml/cm H2O/kg, respectively). (0.66 0.02) that greater those single therapy. This found despite content equal receiving alone. Saline birth significantly antenatally steroids. These data imply existence nonsurfactant mechanism by which fetal compliance.