Dexamethasone treatment improved lung functions in meconium-instilled rabbits, but influenced cardiovascular variables.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

In this study, the effects of single and repetitive dexamethasone administration on lung functions in meconium-instilled rabbits were compared. In addition, short-term adverse effects of dexamethasone on blood pressure, heart rate, and heart rate variability were evaluated.

METHODS:

Artificially ventilated adult rabbits intratracheally received 4 ml/kg of meconium suspension (25 mg/ ml). When respiratory failure developed, animals received single-dose of dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg i.v.) 0.5 h after meconium instillation (Dex1), two doses of dexamethasone (each 0.5 mg/kg i.v.) 0.5 and 2.5 h after meconium instillation (Dex2) or were left without treatment (Mec). Animals were oxygen-ventilated for 5 h after the first dose of treatment.

RESULTS:

Dexamethasone treatment significantly improved gas exchange and reduced right-to-left pulmonary shunts, central venous pressure, and lung edema, whereas trend to more pronounced improvement in some parameters was observed after two doses of dexamethasone. There were no significant between-group differences in blood pressure, however, decreased heart rate and increased heart rate variability were observed particularly after repetitive dexamethasone administration.

CONCLUSION:

Intravenous dexamethasone, especially when given in two doses, improved lung functions, but influenced cardiovascular variables in meconium-instilled rabbits (Tab. 2, Fig. 3, Ref. 34). Full Text (Free, PDF) www.bmj.sk.

• Authors: D Mokra, A Calkovska, I Tonhajzerova, M Petraskova, J Bulikova, B Redfors
• Journal: Bratislavske lekarske listy (Bratisl Lek Listy) Vol. 109 Issue 3 Pg. 95-101 ( 2008) ISSN: 0006-9248 [Print] Slovakia
• PMID: 18517130 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anti-Inflammatory Agents
• Glucocorticoids
• Dexamethasone

Topics

• Animals
• Anti-Inflammatory Agents (therapeutic use, toxicity)
• Dexamethasone (therapeutic use, toxicity)
• Glucocorticoids (therapeutic use, toxicity)
• Hemodynamics (drug effects)
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Lung (physiopathology)
• Meconium Aspiration Syndrome (drug therapy, physiopathology)
• Rabbits