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Biomedical subjects

M Hallman

Publications and source records attributed to M Hallman.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Intraamniotic interleukin-1 accelerates surfactant protein synthesis in fetal rabbits and improves lung stability after premature birth.

Intraamniotic infection is associated with increased IL-1 activity in amniotic fluid, increased incidence of preterm labor, and with decreased incidence of respiratory distress syndrome in infants born prematurely. We hypothesized that an elevated IL-1 in amniotic fluid promotes fetal lung maturation. On day 23 or 25 of gestation (term 31 d), either IL-1alpha (150 or 1,500 ng per fetus) or its antagonist IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra, 20 microg) was injected to the amniotic fluid sacs in one uterine horn, whereas the contralateral amniotic sacs were injected with vehicle. Within 40 h, IL-1alpha caused a dose-dependent increase in surfactant protein-A (SP-A) and SP-B mRNAs (maximally, fivefold), without affecting lung growth or increasing inflammatory cells in the lung. Both genders, and upper and lower lung lobes were similarly affected. IL-1ra did not modify SP-A, -B, or -C mRNA. IL-1 increased the intensity of staining of alveolar type II cells for SP-B, and the concentrations of SP-B, -A, and disaturated phosphatidylcholine in bronchoalveolar lavage. The dynamic lung compliance and the postventilatory expansion of lungs were increased two- to fourfold after IL-1alpha treatment. In fetal lung explants, IL-1alpha increased the expression of SP-A mRNA. IL-1 in amniotic fluid in preterm labor may promote lung maturation and thus be part of a host-defense mechanism that prepares the fetus for extrauterine life.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Protective effect of exogenous transferrin against hyperoxia: a study on premature rabbits.

We hypothesized that an increase in plasma iron binding capacity would decrease the generation of oxygen radicals and of lipid peroxides. To test this hypothesis, we studied whether supplementation of transferrin (TF) in premature rabbits would modify the degree of hyperoxic lung injury. Animals, delivered prematurely at 29 days of gestation (term 31 days), were randomized and given either 0.5 g/kg of albumin (Alb) (n = 116) or 0.5 g/kg of iron-free TF (n = 132) intravenously within 2 hours after birth. Another group was randomized to receive saline (n = 15), or either 0.35 g/kg (n = 12) or 0.70 g/kg of iron-free TF (n = 8). After exposure to a 100% oxygen environment for 2 or 4 days, the animals were killed, and plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid was recovered. Infusion of TF caused a dose-dependent increase in the concentration of TF and an increase in the unsaturated iron-binding capacity. Administration of TF at birth increased the gradient of TF between serum and alveolar epithelial lining fluid on day 4, suggesting decreased alveolar-capillary permeability. BAL fluid and plasma from TF-supplemented animals contained less lipid peroxidation products and more inhibitor of lipid peroxidation than BAL fluid or plasma from Alb-treated animals. In TF-treated animals, the recovery of protein in BAL fluid (TF group, 1.26 +/- 0.07 mg; Alb group, 1.78 +/- 0.10 mg; P = 0.02) and the water content of the extravascular lung tissue (TF group, 78.5 +/- 1.4%; Alb group, 83.2 +/- 1.3%; P = 0.05) were lower than in Alb-treated animals. We propose that supplementation of iron-free TF decreases iron-catalyzed redox reactions and may decrease hyperoxic lung injury in the premature.

Analysis of Variance↗

Clearance of intra-amniotic lung surfactant: uptake and utilization by the fetal rabbit lung.

To investigate the metabolism of intra-amniotic surfactant, surfactant containing double-labeled dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) was injected in amniotic fluid on days 23-27 of gestation. Within 44 h, DPPC was distributed to the gastrointestinal tract (45.9%), fetal membranes and placenta (8.2%), fetal lung (6.6%), and liver (1.9%). DPPC uptake was higher in the upper than in the lower lung lobes. The mixture of phosphatidylglycerol and DPPC increased the uptake of DPPC that was not saturable (range 15-60 mg phospholipid). There was no detectable metabolism of DPPC taken up by the fetal lung. Surfactant protein A, originating from intra-amniotic heterplogous surfactant, was detected immunohistochemically in alveolar epithelium. Intra-amniotic surfactants did not affect the expression of surfactant protein mRNAs. Intra-amniotic surfactant (1,500-2,000 mg/kg on day 25.3) improved lung compliance of ventilated 27.0-day premature rabbits less than intratracheal surfactant at birth (75-100 mg/kg). Reutilization by the alveolar epithelium of surfactant secreted to future airspaces, airways, and amniotic fluid may be a mechanism that increases intracellular surfactant pool before birth.

1,2-Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine↗

Interleukin-1 alpha upregulates the expression of surfactant protein-A in rabbit lung explants.

Interleukin-1 (IL-1) is an important participant in infectious and inflammatory conditions. Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) prevents the effect of IL-1. We have shown that injection of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) into the amniotic fluid of pregnant rabbits stimulates the expression of surfactant protein-A (SP-A) in the lungs of the fetuses. We hypothesized that IL-1 alpha similarly enhances the expression of SP-A in rabbit lung explants in vitro. Explants obtained from 22-day fetal rabbit lungs were cultured in Waymouth's medium on a rotating platform in the presence or absence of IL-1 alpha (5.7-570 ng/ml) or IL-1ra (1-10 micrograms/ml). Dibutyryl cAMP (1 mM) served as a positive control. After 3 days in culture, the explants were harvested and Northern analysis of SP-A was performed using the 1.9-kb rabbit SP-A cDNA probe. IL-1 alpha and dibutyryl cAMP increased the expression of SP-A twofold, as judged by video densitometry. IL-1ra did not change SP-A expression as compared with controls, suggesting that endogenous IL-1 activity was not responsible for the basal level of SP-A expression in the explants. Dibutyryl cAMP increased the expression of SP-B mRNA, whereas IL-1 alpha had no effect on SP-B mRNA concentration. We conclude that inflammatory mediators interact with lung cells to alter synthesis of important components of the surfactant system.

Animals↗

Intra-amniotic interleukin-1 alpha treatment alters postnatal adaptation in premature lambs.

We measured the physiological and biochemical responses of preterm lambs to intra-amniotic injection of interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1 alpha). Singleton lamb fetuses at 126 days of gestation were randomized to receive 125 micrograms IL-1 alpha or vehicle control via ultrasound-guided intra-amniotic injection. Each lamb was delivered 48 h later by caesarian section and ventilated for 120 min. Relative to controls, IL-1 alpha-treated lambs had higher dynamic compliance, ventilatory efficiency indices, and saturated phosphatidylcholine levels (all p < 0.05). Umbilical cord plasma cortisol and catecholamine levels, white blood cells and differentials, cardiac output, regional blood flow, and kidney function did not differ between the groups. However, at 120 min after delivery, the cortisol levels for IL-1 alpha-treated animal were higher than for controls. Single intra-amniotic IL-1 alpha treatment increases surfactant pool size and improves dynamic compliance in the absence of an inflammatory response or differences in other indicators of fetal or newborn organ function.

Adaptation, Physiological↗

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor in amniotic fluid and in airway specimens of newborn infants.

Granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), a cytokine that promotes white cell maturation, participates in the metabolism of pulmonary surfactant. Little is known on the production of GM-CSF during pregnancy or the neonatal period. We studied how the concentrations of GM-CSF in amniotic fluid (AF) or in tracheal aspirates (TA) of newborn infants are influenced by length of gestation, postnatal age, as well as conditions affecting the mother or the fetus. One hundred and forty-three AF samples from 143 pregnant patients (gestational age range, 28-42 wk) and 202 TA samples from 82 neonates (gestational age, 24-42.5 wk, postnatal age 0.2 d to 4 wk) were analyzed for GM-CSF using ELISA. In patients with intact membranes, AF GM-CSF increased as a function of gestational age; the concentrations were below 7.5 ng/L (detection limit of the assay) (n = 5), 18.6 +/- 2.3 ng/L (n = 56), and 56.7 +/- 7.9 ng/L (n = 58) at gestational ages between 28 and 32 wk, between 32 and 37 wk, and in term patients, respectively (linear regression: r = 0.404, p = 0.001). Among patients at less than 33 wk of gestation, those with intact membranes had a median AF GM-CSF concentration under the detection limit (n = 7), whereas in those with preterm premature rupture of membranes, the concentration was 50.1 +/- 22.2 ng/L (n = 16) (p = 0.002). Among term patients, those in labor had higher AF GM-CSF than those without signs of labor. TA GM-CSF at less than 12 h of age correlated with gestational age (r = 0.654, p = 0.0002, n = 28); thereafter, TA GM-CSF increased, and gestation dependence disappeared. We conclude that GM-CSF in AF and in fetal lung liquid is developmentally regulated and GM-CSF production increases in inflammatory conditions during pregnancy.

Amniotic Fluid↗

Transferrin modifies surfactant responsiveness in acute respiratory failure: role of iron-free transferrin as an antioxidant.

In respiratory failure, transferrin (TF) with variable iron saturation accumulates in the alveolar space. Binding free iron to TF may inhibit metal-catalyzed formation of free radicals. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the degree of the iron-saturation of TF influences the severity of respiratory failure and surfactant responsiveness. Surfactant deficiency and lung edema was induced in 42 paralyzed and ventilated young rabbits by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL); 19 of these animals were preexposed to 100% O2 for 40 hours. The animals received (1) exogenous surfactant intratracheally (100 mg/kg in 4 ml/kg saline); (2) surfactant and Fe(3+)-TF (50 or 25 mg/kg); or (3) surfactant and iron-free TF (50 mg/kg). One hour after administration of TF, 13-25% of exogenous TF was recovered by BAL. Administration of Iron-free TF significantly decreased the iron saturation of TF in BAL. In acute respiratory failure induced by BAL, Fe(3+)-TF decreased the efficacy of exogenous surfactant in improving the gas exchange, and increased surfactant inhibition, while iron-free TF had no effect. By contrast, in respiratory failure induced by hyperoxia and BAL, iron-free TF improved the efficacy of exogenous surfactant, but Fe(2+)-TF had no effect. After administration of iron-free TF, surfactant isolated from BAL was more surface-active than surfactant from BAL of the other hyperoxia-treated animals. In animals exposed to hyperoxia, treatment with iron-free TF decreased malondialdehyde content of BAL. We propose that low iron saturation of TF decreases oxidant stress and favors the recovery from respiratory failure.

Acute Disease↗

Hemodynamics of respiratory failure in rabbit model: effect of surfactant supplementation.

In some infants, administration of surfactant has been associated with an acute decrease in blood pressure. We hypothesized that independent of patent ductus arteriosus, low blood volume sensitizes to a negative hemodynamic response to surfactant supplementation. Respiratory failure was induced by bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in 30 young rabbits that were paralyzed and ventilated using tidal volumes of 10 ml/kg. After BAL, 15 ml/kg blood was withdrawn while the same volume of one of the following was infused: Ringer's lactate (n = 12); 5% albumin (n = 5); or leukocyte-free red blood cells (RBC, n = 6). The controls were not phlebotomized (n = 7). After blood withdrawal and transfusion, natural surfactant was given (100 mg/kg). The blood volume and pulmonary capillary leak were calculated. Cardiac output (CO) and vascular resistances were measured (Ringer's lactate; n = 5; controls, n = 4). Blood withdrawal and replacement had no immediate effect on either lung function or hemodynamics. Surfactant supplementation improved the gas exchange in all but the albumin-treated animals that had increased protein concentration in epithelial lining fluid. In the Ringer's lactate group, there was a 35% decrease (p < 0.05) in blood pressure, a 28% decrease (p < 0.05) in CO, and a 54% increase (p < 0.05) in pulmonary vascular resistance, shortly after surfactant administration. In the other groups, there was either a transient (controls) or no (RBC and albumin groups) decrease in blood pressure. The total blood volume and the intrapulmonary blood volume were lower in the Ringer's lactate group than in the RBC group. According to the present results, blood pressure and CO may decrease acutely when exogenous surfactant is administered coincidental with blood loss.

Analysis of Variance↗

Nitric oxide and lung surfactant.

Inhalation of nitric oxide (NO) is an experimental treatment for severe pulmonary hypertension. Being rapidly metabolized by hemoglobin, inhaled NO causes selective vasodilation in the pulmonary vascular bed. In addition to the vascular smooth muscle, other pulmonary structures are exposed to inhaled NO, resulting in suppression of NO synthesis in a variety of pulmonary cells and in potential toxicity. NO is a free radical that interacts with a number of proteins, particularly metalloproteins. Together with superoxide radical, it rapidly forms highly toxic peroxynitrite. Peroxynitrite is involved in the killing of microbes by activated phagocytosing macrophages. In severe inflammation, peroxynitrite may be responsible for damaging proteins, lipids, and DNA. Peroxynitrite added to surfactant in vitro is capable of decreasing the surface activity, inducing lipid peroxidation, decreasing the function of surfactant proteins, SP-A and SP-B, and inducing protein-associated nitro-tyrosine. Exposure of animals for prolonged periods (48 to 72 hours) to inhaled NO (80 to 120 ppm) has been associated with a decrease in surface activity. This is caused by binding of surfactant to iron-proteins that are modified by NO (particularly methemoglobin), or by peroxynitrite induced damage of surfactant. In contrast, exposure of isolated surfactant complex to NO during surface cycling strikingly decreases the inactivation of surfactant, preventing the conversion of surfactant to small vesicles that are no longer surface-active, and preventing lipid peroxidation. This finding is consistent with the function of NO as a lipid-soluble chain-braking antioxidant. It is possible that this lipophilic gas has as yet undefined roles in regulation of surfactant metabolism and maintenance of surface activity. Deficiency in pulmonary NO may be present during the early neonatal period in respiratory distress syndrome and in persistent fetal circulation. The premature lung is likely to be sensitive to NO toxicity that may include lung damage, abnormal alveolarization, and mutagenicity. Defining of the indications, the dosage, and the toxicity of inhaled NO therapy remains the challenge for experimental and clinical research.

Administration, Inhalation↗

Cytokines and production of surfactant components.

The production of pulmonary surfactant, a complex of lipids and proteins that reduces surface tension at the alveolar air-liquid interface, is developmentally regulated. Several hormones, most notably glucocorticoids, are known to accelerate maturation of the surfactant system. Cytokines are polypeptides that act mostly in a paracrine fashion and possess a wide spectrum of activities on multiple types of cells. Many cytokines are produced by different lung cells a various stages of fetal development or under pathological conditions affecting the fetus. In addition, cytokines present in amniotic fluid or in the blood stream may reach the fetal lungs. Some cytokines, including epidermal growth factor, transforming growth factor-alpha, and interferon-gamma have been shown to stimulate the production of surfactant components. On the other hand, tumor necrosis factor and transforming growth factor-beta downregulate the production of surfactant lipids and proteins. We have recently shown that the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 (IL-I) enhances the expression of surfactant protein A (SP-A) in fetal rabbit lung explants. In addition, injection of IL-I into the amniotic fluid of fetal rabbits enhances the expression of surfactant proteins and improves the lung compliance of preterm animals. Preterm delivery is often associated with subclinical intraamniotic infection. In these cases, amniotic fluid concentrations of IL-I are often elevated. We propose that this cytokine accelerates maturation of the surfactant system in fetal lungs and thus prepares the fetus for extrauterine life.

Animals↗

Surgical correction of malpositioned implants. A case report.

A new technique for surgical correction of malpositioned implants is described. A 64-year-old female got her first fixed prosthesis anchored to 6 Brånemark implants in her upper jaw, in April 1993. The implants were poorly positioned and despite great efforts to make the construction aesthetically acceptable, the patient did not approve. In order to obtain better aesthetics, it was decided to move some of the osseointegrated implants to other positions. With a trephine drill, fixtures were removed including the surrounding bone, and 2 of them were placed in new sites made with the same drill. After a healing period of 6 months, abutments were connected and a new fixed prosthesis was made. After 1 year of loading, all implants were still stable. A marginal bone resorption to the 3rd thread was found around one of the implants.

Dental Implantation, Endosseous↗

Surfactant dysfunction after inhalation of nitric oxide.

To study whether nitric oxide (NO) affects surfactant function, 36 young rats inhaled one of the following humidified environments for 24 h: 1) air; 2) 95% O2; 3) air and 100 parts/million (ppm) NO; and 4) 95% O2 and 100 ppm NO. The treatments did not change the recovery of phospholipid from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Exposure to NO of animals that breathed either air or 95% O2 increased the minimum surface tension of surfactant from BAL at low (1.5 mumol/ml), but not at high (4 mumol/ml), phosphatidylcholine concentration. After inhaled NO, the nonsedimentable protein of BAL decreased the surface activity of surfactant (1 mumol phosphatidylcholine/ml) more than the protein from the controls. NO treatment of animals that breathed either air or 95% O2 affected neither the quantity nor the molecular weight distribution of nonsedimentable protein. Hyperoxia increased the amount of the nonsedimentable protein, whereas NO increased the iron saturation of transferrin. The surfactant fraction and the nonsedimentable protein from BAL were separately exposed to 80 ppm NO in vitro. NO exposure had no effect on the surface activity of surfactant fraction. NO exposure of nonsedimentable protein from the control animals (no NO) increased the inhibition of the surface activity and changed the adsorption spectrum of the protein, suggesting conversion of hemoglobin to methemoglobin. Nonsedimentable protein from NO-exposed animals contained methemoglobin. We propose that surfactant dysfunction caused by inhaled NO is in part due to alteration of protein(s) in epithelial lining fluid that in turn inactivates surfactant.

Administration, Inhalation↗

A mechanism of nitric oxide-induced surfactant dysfunction.

Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) may modify surfactant either by interacting with the surfactant complex or by changing the capacity of the proteins of the epithelial lining fluid to inhibit the surface activity. Natural surfactant was exposed to NO (80 parts/million) in air in vitro while the gas-liquid surface was cycled. In the presence or absence of oxidants (Fe2+, xanthine, xanthine oxidase), surfactant exposed to NO retained the high surface activity significantly better than control surfactants exposed to air. Two surfactant inhibitors, hemoglobin (Hb) and albumin, were separately exposed to NO. In contrast to albumin, NO-exposed Hb and methemoglobin (MetHb; 16-125 micrograms/ml) decreased the surface activity at low surfactant concentrations, whereas native Hb had no effect. Surfactant recovered by sedimentation after exposure to MetHb had decreased surface activity and contained MetHb, whereas Hb did not bind to surfactant. Acidic phospholipid phosphatidylglycerol increased the binding of MetHb to surfactant. The MetHb-induced decrease in surface activity was elicited in the presence of surfactant proteins, including a peptide mimicking surfactant protein B. MetHb (but not Hb) added to a low dose of exogenous surfactant decreased the efficacy of surfactant to improve the lung compliance of premature rabbits. We propose that inhaled NO promotes the surface activity of surfactant during tidal ventilation and that, in high-permeability lung edema and surfactant deficiency, inhaled NO increases the inhibition of surface activity by converting Hb to MetHb in the alveolar space.

Animals↗

The efficacy and safety of KL4-surfactant in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome.

The present study was undertaken to determine if a synthetic peptide, KLLLLKLLLLKLLLLKLLLLK (KL4), in which K = lysine and L = leucine, in an aqueous dispersion of phospholipids (DPPC and POPG), would expand pulmonary alveoli and improve gas exchange in premature human infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS). The KL4 peptide was synthesized to resemble the amino acid pattern of surfactant protein B (SP-B). Forty-seven infants with RDS were treated within 4 h of birth with the KL4-peptide/phospholipid mixture, called KL4-Surfactant. The average arterial-to-alveolar oxygen tension ratios (a/A O2) of 39 patients included in efficacy analyses rose from pretreatment values of 0.14 +/- 0.02 (mean +/- SEM) to 0.40 +/- 0.04 (normal value > or = 0.40) by 12 h of age. Mean airway pressures and oxygenation index values fell concomitantly, and expansion of the lungs was observed on radiographs. The median duration of mechanical ventilation was 5.0 d. Of the 39 included infants, 29 required only a single dose. Radiographic data indicate that those patients requiring a second instillation of KL4-Surfactant but not showing a sustained rise in a/A O2 ratios did, in fact, exhibit expansion of alveoli in the lung. There were no RDS-related deaths; the incidence of complications was no higher than found in other comparable published studies. The data demonstrate that the synthetic peptide, KL4, which mimics the hydrophobic and hydrophilic pattern of SP-B, when formulated in an aqueous dispersion with the phospholipids DPPC and POPG, creates a strong and durable surfactant activity as judged by expansion of pulmonary alveoli and improvement of gas exchange in infants with RDS.

Age Factors↗

Recombinant human erythropoietin: possible role as an antioxidant in premature rabbits.

Iron is an important catalyst for free oxygen radicals and lipid peroxidation reactions which may play a role in the pathogenesis of several diseases in premature infants. During the early neonatal period, extracellular iron is available in excessive amounts. We hypothesized that administration of erythropoietin (EPO) mobilizes iron from plasma and inhibits iron-catalyzed reactions. To evaluate this hypothesis, recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) was administered s.c. to premature rabbits delivered at 29-d gestation: one group was kept in room air (RA) and the other in a 100% oxygen environment. Within each group, the animals were randomized to receive placebo or rhEPO at 400 or at 800 U/kg on d 0 and 2 of life. On d 3 or 4, plasma iron and iron saturation of transferrin were assessed. Lipid peroxidation was analyzed in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL). Nonsedimentable protein (NSP) and phospholipid content were measured in BAL. Erythropoiesis was evaluated in liver and bone marrow. Treatment with rhEPO decreased plasma iron, decreased iron saturation of transferrin, increased reticulocytes, and increased erythropoiesis in liver and bone marrow in both RA and hyperoxia group. Oxygen exposure increased NSP in BAL and decreased the ability of BAL to inhibit lipid peroxidation as measured by malondialdehyde (MDA) generation compared with RA exposure. In O2-exposed animals, EPO treatment increased the ability of both plasma (EPO 800) and BAL (EPO 400 and 800) to inhibit lipid peroxidation and decreased NSP in BAL (EPO 400). In addition, rhEPO treatment decreased alveolar thickening and proteinaceous exudate in the hyperoxia group. We propose that by stimulating erythropoiesis, rhEPO mobilizes non-heme iron and decreases oxidant injury that depends on the availability of transient metal.

Animals↗

Variable oxygenation response to inhaled nitric oxide in severe persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.

The causes of variable responsiveness to inhaled nitric oxide (NO) in Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of the Newborn (PPHN) are unknown. The changes in the severity of respiratory failure after the onset of inhaled NO (maximal dose 20 ppm) were studied in 13 consecutive neonates with severe PPHN. Response was defined as a sustained decrease of alveolar-arterial oxygen gradient (AaDO2) by > 20%, or a decrease in oxygenation index (OI) by > 40%. Six neonates had a rapid response within 30 min, three had an intermediate response within 8 h, and three had a delayed response within 12 h after the onset of NO. Three infants with birth asphyxia responded rapidly to inhaled NO. One infant with sepsis did not respond, and two with suspected sepsis had a delayed response. The infants with Meconium Aspiration Syndrome and idiopathic PPHN had a variable response time. Twelve neonates required 4 to 14 days of mechanical ventilation and survived. Infants with PPHN may benefit from a trial of inhaled NO therapy that exceeds 30 min. The variability of the response time to inhaled NO is likely to be multifactorial and dependent on the disease process associated with PPHN.

Administration, Inhalation↗