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Hyperoxia elicits myocardial protection through a nuclear factor kappaB-dependent mechanism in the rat heart.

OBJECTIVE: Hyperoxia has been previously shown to protect the heart from ischemia-reperfusion injury. In the present study we investigated whether the cardioprotective effects of hyperoxia were dependent on the redox-sensitive transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB. METHODS: Rats were kept in a hyperoxic (> or =95% O(2)) environment for 60 minutes. Their hearts were isolated immediately afterward, buffer perfused in a Langendorff apparatus, and subjected to 25 minutes of global ischemia and 60 minutes of reperfusion. Cardiac pressures and coronary flow were measured, and infarct size was determined by means of triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining. Activation of nuclear factor kappaB was assessed by means of the electrophoretic mobility shift assay, whereas the inhibitor IkappaBalpha was evaluated by means of immunoblotting. Pharmacologic inhibition of nuclear factor kappaB was achieved with 2 different agents, SN50 and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate. RESULTS: Preischemic exposure to hyperoxia improved postischemic recovery of myocardial contractile function and coronary flow and reduced infarct size. Hyperoxia activated pulmonary and myocardial nuclear factor kappaB. Pretreatment with SN50 (400 microg/kg administered intraperitoneally) or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (100 mg/kg administered intraperitoneally) before hyperoxia abolished the functional and infarct-limiting protection. Hyperoxia reduced nuclear factor kappaB activation in the heart during sustained ischemia and reperfusion and increased the cytoplasmatic inhibitory factor IkappaBalpha. Administration of pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate or SN50 during ischemia and reperfusion to isolated hearts from normoxic control animals improved postischemic contractile function and coronary flow and reduced infarct size. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperoxia protects the rat heart against ischemia-reperfusion injury. The cardioprotection depends on myocardial activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappaB. Our results support evidence for a dual role of nuclear factor kappaB in the heart.

Analysis of Variance↗

Nitric oxide and hyperoxia in oxidative lung injury.

UNLABELLED: Therapy with inhaled nitric oxide is usually given with high concentrations of oxygen. As nitric oxide (NO) is a free radical and hyperoxia increases oxygen radical production, we examined the effect of short exposure to NO or oxygen (O2) or both, on free radical-mediated changes in macromolecules, i.e. lipids and proteins, in vivo. Wistar rats were exposed to > 95% O2 or 40 ppm NO, or both, for 6 h. Rats in 21% O2 served as controls. Lipid peroxidation was quantified as expired pentane, oxidative protein modification as carbonyl concentration, and pulmonary neutrophil accumulation as myeloperoxidase activity in the lungs. Hyperoxia for 6 h caused higher expired pentane (4.83 +/- 1.39 pmol/min/100 g) and protein carbonylation (15.91 +/- 2.49 nmol/mg) compared to controls (2.26 +/- 1.00 pmol/min/100 g, and 7.40 +/- 1.12 nmol/mg, respectively; both p < 0.05). After exposure to NO in air, protein carbonylation (14.50 +/- 5.44 nmol/mg) and myeloperoxidase activity (4.85 +/- 1.52 mU/mg) were higher than in controls (myeloperoxidase 2.49 +/- 0.56 mU/mg; both p < 0.05). NO with hyperoxia decreased pentane (2.56 +/- 1.51 pmol/min/ 100 g) and protein carbonylation (11.38 +/- 3.58 nmol/mg) compared to hyperoxia (both p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In vivo, 6 h exposure to hyperoxia or to 40 ppm NO induces free radical-mediated lung injury. The combination of hyperoxia and 40 ppm NO significantly attenuates free radical-mediated effects in the lungs compared to hyperoxia or 40 ppm NO in air.

Animals↗

Effects of hypoxia and hyperoxia on lung prostaglandin E1 metabolism.

Exposure to hypoxia (10% O2 for 5 to 7 days) results in increased survival and decreased pulmonary toxicity of adult rats subsequently exposed to hyperoxia (> 97% O2). These experiments tested whether hypoxia preexposure minimized the decrease in lung metabolism of prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), a vasoactive and antiinflammatory prostaglandin, caused by hyperoxia. Transpulmonary PGE1 clearance was measured as fractional metabolism of PGE1 (2 microM to 30 microM) infused during a 45-second period in an isolated, buffer-perfused rat lung preparation after exposure of rats to one of the following conditions: (1) hyperoxia (> 97% O2 for 48 hours), (2) hypoxia (10% O2 for 120 hours), or (3) hypoxia followed by hyperoxia. Hyperoxia exposure decreased both lung PGE1 metabolism and lung prostaglandin dehydrogenase activity (PGDH). Hypoxia also decreased lung PGE1 metabolism but, in contrast, increased lung PGDH activity. Hypoxia preexposure did not prevent the depression of PGE1 metabolism or PGDH activity caused by hyperoxia, which indicates that survival in hyperoxia did not depend on lung PGE1 metabolism. Hypoxia itself impaired transpulmonary metabolism of PGE1 despite increasing PGDH activity, which suggests possible interference with substrate delivery.

Alprostadil↗

Hyperoxia and local organ blood flow in the developing chick embryo.

1. Hyperoxia can cause local vasoconstriction in adult animal organs as a protective mechanism against hyperoxia-induced toxicity. It is not known at what time during development this vasoconstrictor capacity is present. Therefore, we measured the cardiac output (CO) distribution in different organs during a period of acute hyperoxia (100 % O2) in the developing chick embryo. 2. Fertile eggs were divided into five incubation time groups (10 and 11, 12 and 13, 14 and 15, 16 and 17, and 18 and 19 days of a normal incubation time of 21 days). Eggs were opened at the air cell and a catheter was inserted into a branch of the chorioallantoic vein for injections of 15 microm fluorescent microspheres during normoxia and at the end of 5 min (test group 1; n = 39) or 20 min (test group 2; n = 21) of hyperoxia exposure (100 % O2). The fraction of CO to an organ was calculated as the fluorescence of the organ sample divided by the sum of the fluorescence of all organs. 3. Only in 18- and 19-day-old embryos did hyperoxia cause a decrease in the fractions of CO to the heart and carcass, and an increase in those to the yolk-sac and chorioallantoic membrane. This response was more pronounced after 20 min (test group 2) than after 5 min (test group 1) of hyperoxia with an additional decrease in the fractions of CO to the brain, intestine and liver (test group 2). 4. These data indicate that local mechanisms for hyperoxia-induced vasoconstriction in the heart, brain, liver, intestine and carcass develop late, during the final 15 % of the incubation period, in the developing chick embryo.

Animals↗

Hyperoxia decreases muscle glycogenolysis, lactate production, and lactate efflux during steady-state exercise.

The aim of this study was to determine whether the decreased muscle and blood lactate during exercise with hyperoxia (60% inspired O2) vs. room air is due to decreased muscle glycogenolysis, leading to decreased pyruvate and lactate production and efflux. We measured pyruvate oxidation via PDH, muscle pyruvate and lactate accumulation, and lactate and pyruvate efflux to estimate total pyruvate and lactate production during exercise. We hypothesized that 60% O2 would decrease muscle glycogenolysis, resulting in decreased pyruvate and lactate contents, leading to decreased muscle pyruvate and lactate release with no change in PDH activity. Seven active male subjects cycled for 40 min at 70% VO2 peak on two occasions when breathing 21 or 60% O2. Arterial and femoral venous blood samples and blood flow measurements were obtained throughout exercise, and muscle biopsies were taken at rest and after 10, 20, and 40 min of exercise. Hyperoxia had no effect on leg O2 delivery, O2 uptake, or RQ during exercise. Muscle glycogenolysis was reduced by 16% with hyperoxia (267 +/- 19 vs. 317 +/- 21 mmol/kg dry wt), translating into a significant, 15% reduction in total pyruvate production over the 40-min exercise period. Decreased pyruvate production during hyperoxia had no effect on PDH activity (pyruvate oxidation) but significantly decreased lactate accumulation (60%: 22.6 +/- 6.4 vs. 21%: 31.3 +/- 8.7 mmol/kg dry wt), lactate efflux, and total lactate production over 40 min of cycling. Decreased glycogenolysis in hyperoxia was related to an approximately 44% lower epinephrine concentration and an attenuated accumulation of potent phosphorylase activators ADPf and AMPf during exercise. Greater phosphorylation potential during hyperoxia was related to a significantly diminished rate of PCr utilization. The tighter metabolic match between pyruvate production and oxidation resulted in a decrease in total lactate production and efflux over 40 min of exercise during hyperoxia.

Adult↗

Short-term modulation of interleukin-1beta signaling by hyperoxia: uncoupling of IkappaB kinase activation and NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression.

We have been interested in elucidating how simultaneous stimuli modulate inflammation-related signal transduction pathways in lung parenchymal cells. We previously demonstrated that exposing respiratory epithelial cells to 95% oxygen (hyperoxia) synergistically increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-mediated activation of NF-kappaB and NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression by a mechanism involving increased activation of IkappaB kinase (IKK). Because the signal transduction mechanisms induced by IL-1beta are distinct to that of TNF-alpha, herein we sought to determine whether hyperoxia modulates IL-1beta-dependent signal transduction. In A549 cells, simultaneous treatment with hyperoxia and IL-1beta caused increased activation of IKK, prolonged the degradation of IkappaBalpha, and prolonged the nuclear translocation and DNA binding of NF-kappaB compared with cells treated with IL-1beta alone in room air. Hyperoxia did not affect IL-1beta-dependent degradation of the interleukin receptor-associated kinase differently from treatment with IL-beta alone. In contrast to the effects on the IKK/IkappaBalpha/NF-kappaB pathway, simultaneous treatment with hyperoxia and IL-1beta did not augment NF-kappaB-dependent gene expression compared with treatment with IL-1beta alone. Similar observations were made in a different human respiratory epithelial cell line, BEAS-2B cells. In addition, simultaneous treatment with hyperoxia and IL-1beta caused hyperphosphorlyation of the NF-kappaB p65 subunit compared with treatment with IL-1beta alone. In summary, concomitant treatment of A549 cells with hyperoxia and IL-1beta augments activation of IKK, prolongs degradation of IkappaBalpha, and prolongs nuclear translocation and DNA binding of NF-kappaB. This activation, however, is not coupled to increased expression of NF-kappaB-dependent genes, and the mechanism of this decoupling is not related to decreased phosphorylation of p65.

Cell Line↗

Effects of lisofylline on hyperoxia-induced lung injury.

Lisofylline [1-(5R-hydroxyhexyl)-3,7-dimethylxanthine] decreases lipid peroxidation in vitro and in vivo suppresses proinflammatory cytokine expression in models of lung injury due to sepsis, blood loss, and oxidative damage. In the present experiments, we used a murine hyperoxia model to examine the effects of lisofylline on the activation of nuclear transcriptional regulatory factors [nuclear factor-kappaB and cAMP response element binding protein (CREB)], the expression of proinflammatory cytokines in the lungs, and the circulating levels of oxidized free fatty acids as well as on hyperoxia-induced lung injury and mortality. Treatment with lisofylline inhibited hyperoxia-associated increases in tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-1beta, and interleukin-6 in the lungs as well as decreased the levels of hyperoxia-induced serum-oxidized free fatty acids. Although hyperoxic exposure produced activation of both nuclear factor-kappaB and CREB in lung cell populations, only CREB activation was reduced in the mice treated with lisofylline. Lisofylline diminished hyperoxia-associated increases in lung wet-to-dry weight ratios and improved survival in animals exposed to hyperoxia. These results suggest that lisofylline ameliorates hyperoxia-induced lung injury and mortality through inhibiting CREB activation, membrane oxidation, and proinflammatory cytokine expression in the lungs.

Animals↗

Inducible nitric oxide synthase in the lung and exhaled nitric oxide after hyperoxia.

The effect of hyperoxia on nitric oxide (NO) production in intact animals is unknown. We described the effects of hyperoxia on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and NO production in the lungs of rats exposed to high concentrations of oxygen. Animals were placed in sealed Plexiglas chambers and were exposed to either 85% oxygen (hyperoxic group) or 21% oxygen (negative control group). Animals were anesthetized after 24 and 72 h of exposure and were ventilated via a tracheotomy. We measured NO production in exhaled air (E(NO)) by chemiluminescence. The lungs were then harvested and processed for detection of iNOS by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting analysis. The same experiments were repeated in animals exposed to hyperoxia for 72 h after they were infused with L-arginine. We used rats that were injected intraperitoneally with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide to induce septic shock as a positive control group. Hyperoxia and septic shock induced expression of iNOS in the lung. However, E(NO) was elevated only in septic shock rats but was normal in the hyperoxic group. Exogenous infusion of L-arginine after hyperoxia did not increase E(NO). To exclude the possibility that in the hyperoxic group NO was scavenged by oxygen radicals to form peroxynitrite, lungs were studied by immunohistochemistry for the detection of nitrotyrosine. Nitrotyrosine was found in septic shock animals but not in the hyperoxic group, further suggesting that NO is not synthesized in rats exposed to hyperoxia. We conclude that hyperoxia induces iNOS expression in the lung without an increase in NO concentration in the exhaled air.

Animals↗

p53-independent induction of GADD45 and GADD153 in mouse lungs exposed to hyperoxia.

Previous studies have shown that lungs of adult mice exposed to >95% oxygen have increased terminal deoxyribonucleotidyltransferase dUTP nick end-label staining and accumulate p53, the expression of which increases in cells exposed to DNA-damaging agents. The present study was designed to determine whether hyperoxia also increased expression of the growth arrest and DNA damage (GADD) gene 45 and GADD153, which are induced by genotoxic stress through p53-dependent and -independent pathways. GADD proteins have been shown to inhibit proliferation and stimulate DNA repair and/or apoptosis. GADD45 and GADD153 mRNAs were not detected in lungs exposed to room air but were detected after 48 and 72 h of exposure to hyperoxia. In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry revealed that hyperoxia increased GADD45 and GADD153 expression in the bronchiolar epithelium and GADD45 expression predominantly in alveolar cells that were morphologically consistent with type II cells. Hyperoxia also increased GADD expression in p53-deficient mice. Terminal deoxyribonucleotidyltransferase dUTP nick end-label staining of lung cells from p53 wild-type and p53-null mice exposed to hyperoxia for 48 h revealed that hyperoxia-induced DNA fragmentation was not modified by p53 deficiency. These studies are consistent with the hypothesis that hyperoxia-induced DNA fragmentation is associated with the expression of GADD genes that may participate in DNA repair and/or apoptosis.

Animals↗

AP-1 and STAT mediate hyperoxia-induced gene transcription of heme oxygenase-1.

We have previously shown marked induction of the stress-inducible gene heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in vivo and in vitro after hyperoxia. In RAW 264.7 cells, HO-1 induction is transcriptionally regulated and dependent on cooperation between the HO-1 gene promoter and the 5' distal enhancer element SX2. In our present study, further deletional and mutational analyses demonstrate that signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) DNA binding sites located in the promoter of HO-1 and activator protein (AP)-1 DNA binding sites in the distal enhancer element SX2 are necessary for optimal HO-1 gene activation after hyperoxia. Interestingly, a second 5' distal enhancer element, AB1, located 10 kb upstream from the HO-1 promoter, alone is activated after hyperoxia but cannot confer maximal hyperoxia-induced HO-1 gene transcription. Mutational analysis of the AB1 enhancer shows that AP-1 is essential for AB1-mediated HO-1 gene transcription after hyperoxia. Electromobility shift assays show increased STAT1, STAT3, STAT5, and AP-1 DNA binding activity in RAW 264.7 cells after hyperoxia. Taken together, our data suggest that the 5' distal enhancer elements of the HO-1 gene in concert with the promoter regulate HO-1 gene induction and highlight the complexity of HO-1 gene transcription in response to hyperoxia.

Animals↗

Interactions of lung stretch, hyperoxia, and MIP-2 production in ventilator-induced lung injury.

The use of positive pressure mechanical ventilation can cause ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI). We hypothesized that hyperoxia in combination with large tidal volumes (VT) would accentuate noncardiogenic edema and neutrophil infiltration in VILI and be dependent on stretch-induced macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) production. In rats ventilated with VT 20 ml/kg, there was pulmonary edema formation that was significantly increased by hyperoxia. Total lung neutrophil infiltration and MIP-2 in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid were significantly elevated, in animals exposed to high VT both on room air (RA) and with hyperoxia. Hyperoxia markedly augmented the migration of neutrophils into the alveoli. Anti-MIP-2 antibody blocked migration of neutrophils into the alveoli in RA by 51% and with hyperoxia by 65%. We concluded that neutrophil migration into the alveoli was dependent on stretch-induced MIP-2 production. Hyperoxia significantly increased edema formation and neutrophil migration into the alveoli with VT 20 ml/kg, although BAL MIP-2 levels were nearly identical to VT 20 ml/kg with RA, suggesting that other mechanisms may be involved in hyperoxia-augmented neutrophil alveolar content in VILI.

Animals↗

Attenuation of hyperoxia-induced growth inhibition in H441 cells by gene transfer of mitochondrially targeted glutathione reductase.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated as agents of cellular damage in pulmonary oxygen toxicity. Glutathione (GSH) and GSH-dependent antioxidant enzymes protect against damage by ROS, and recycling of glutathione disulfide (GSSG) to GSH by glutathione reductase (GR) is essential for the optimum functioning of this system. Exposure to hyperoxia inhibits lung development in newborn animals and humans, and attenuates cell growth in proliferating cell cultures. Considerable evidence supports a role for ROS as growth-altering molecules. Previously, we have observed that gene transfer of GR to mitochondria in H441 cells, using a vector containing a mitochondrial leader sequence (LGR), protected these cells against t-BuOOH-induced cytotoxicity. The present studies tested the hypothesis that gene transfer of LGR would attenuate the cytostatic effects of hyperoxia exposure in H441 cells. H441 cells (0.9 x 10(6) cells/plate) transfected with adenovirus containing LGR or the complementary DNA (cDNA) for manganese superoxide dismutase in reverse orientation (DOS) as a control construct, and untransfected cells (CON) were maintained in 21% oxygen (normoxia) or 95% oxygen (hyperoxia) for 48 h, and cell growth was assessed by cell counts and by reduction of the tetrazolium dye 3-(4,5 dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) to formazan. Cells maintained in normoxia achieved normal growth (CON, 1.98; DOS, 1.91; LGR, 2.0 x 10(6) cells/plate). Hyperoxia inhibited cell growth and the reduction of MTT; however, cells transfected with LGR had greater mitochondrial GR activities (CON, 16+/-2; DOS, 19+/-3; LGR, 322+/-18 mU/mg of protein), sustained more normal growth patterns (CON, 1.25+/-0.12; DOS, 1.24 +/-0.21, LGR, 1.8+/-0.25 x 10(6) cells/plate), and had less inhibition of MTT reduction (CON, 29; DOS, 27; LGR, 16% inhibition, P<0.01) after exposure to hyperoxia for 48 h than was observed in cells transfected with DOS or in control cells not infected with virus. In addition, resistant cells had higher mitochondrial GSH levels and maintained mitochondrial GSH/GSSG ratios in hyperoxia, suggesting that maintaining mitochondrial GSH homeostasis determined critical aspects of cell division in these studies. The mechanisms for sustaining cell growth during hyperoxia in H441 cells with enhanced mitochondrial GR activities are unknown, but similar effects in infants exposed to supplemental oxygen could be highly beneficial.

Adenoviridae↗

Reactive oxygen species and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 mitogen-activated protein kinase mediate hyperoxia-induced cell death in lung epithelium.

Therapy with high oxygen concentrations (hyperoxia) is often necessary to treat patients with respiratory failure. However, hyperoxia may exacerbate the development of acute lung injury, perhaps by increasing lung epithelial cell death. Therefore, interrupting lung epithelial cell death is an important protective and therapeutic strategy. In the present study, hyperoxia (95% O(2)) results in murine lung epithelium cell death by DNA-laddering, terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase dUTP nick end labeling, and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate flow cytometry assay. We show that hyperoxia increases superoxide production, as assessed by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate reduced (NADPH) oxidase activity and flow cytometric assay, and increases phospho-extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 by Western blot analysis. These processes are inhibited by a reactive oxygen species inhibitor, diphenylene iodonium (DPI), and by an inhibitor of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) or ERK kinase (MEK)/ERK1/2 pathway, PD98059. ERK1/2 activation in hyperoxia is also inhibited by DPI. Hyperoxia-induced cell death is associated with cytochrome c release, subsequent caspase 9 and 3 activation, and poly (ADP-ribosyl) polymerase cleavage, which can all be suppressed by DPI and PD98059. However, the broad caspase inhibitor z-VAD-FMK protects cells from death without affecting superoxide generation and ERK1/2 activation. Taken together, our data suggest that hyperoxia, by virtue of activating NADPH oxidase, generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), which mediates cell death of lung epithelium via ERK1/2 MAPK activation, and functions upstream of caspase activation in lung epithelial cells.

Amino Acid Chloromethyl Ketones↗

Nitric oxide donor restores lung growth factor and receptor expression in hyperoxia-exposed rat pups.

Exposure of newborn rats to hyperoxia impairs alveolarization. Nitric oxide (NO) may prevent this evolution. Angiogenesis and factors involved in this process, but also other growth factors (GFs) involved in alveolar development, are likely potential therapeutic targets for NO. We studied the effects of the NO donor, [Z]-1-[N-(2-aminoethyl)-N-(2-ammonioethyl)aminio]diazen-1-ium-1, 2-diolate, also termed DETANONOate (D-NO), on hyperoxia-induced changes in key regulatory factors of alveolar development in neonatal rats, and its possible preventive effect on the physiologic consequences of hyperoxia. Newborn rat pups were randomized at birth to hyperoxia (> 95% O2) or room air exposure for 6 or 10 d, while receiving D-NO or its diluent. On Day 6, several GFs and their receptors were studied at pre- and/or post-translational levels. Elastin transcript determination on Day 6, and elastin deposition in tissue and morphometric analysis of the lungs on Day 10, were also performed. Hyperoxia decreased the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor (VEGFR) 2, fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-18, and FGF receptors (FGFRs) FGFR3 and FGFR4, increased mortality, and impaired alveolarization and capillary growth. D-NO treatment of hyperoxia-exposed pups restored the expression level of FGF18 and FGFR4, induced an increase of both VEGF mRNA and protein, enhanced elastin expression, and partially restored elastin deposition in alveolar walls. Although, under the present conditions, D-NO failed to prevent the physiologic consequences of hyperoxia in terms of survival and lung alveolarization, our findings demonstrate molecular effects of NO on GFs involved in alveolar development that may have contributed to the protective effects previously reported for NO.

Animals↗

Hyperoxia promotes electroretinogram recovery after retinal artery occlusion in cats.

PURPOSE: This work assessed the hypotheses that (1) hyperoxia is preferable to air breathing during retinal arterial occlusion, (2) hyperoxia during occlusion is beneficial in promoting recovery from arterial occlusion, and (3) hyperoxia has value even if it is delayed relative to the onset of the occlusion. METHODS: Reversible branch retinal artery occlusion was produced by pressing with a glass probe onto an artery emerging from the superior part of the optic disc in the retina of anesthetized cats. During 2-hour occlusion episodes, the cats breathed 100% O(2), 1 hour of air and 1 hour of 100% O(2), 1 hour of air and 1 hour of 70% O(2), or air. Intraretinal ERGs were recorded before, during, and after the occlusion. RESULTS: Hyperoxia during occlusion preserved intraretinal b-wave amplitude at 86% +/- 12% of normal; longer durations of increased oxygenation maintained the b-wave at higher levels during occlusion and increased the probability of b-wave recovery after occlusion; higher O(2) content in the breathing gas increased b-wave amplitude during recovery; and hyperoxia during occlusion decreased the time it took for the b-wave to recover after the occlusion. CONCLUSIONS: Hyperoxia is preferable to air breathing during retinal arterial occlusion not only for maintaining b-wave amplitude during occlusion, but also for providing a shorter recovery time and better percentage recovery after the end of the occlusion. Even if it is not possible to begin hyperoxia at the onset of occlusion, it may still be valuable.

Animals↗

Apoptosis and the activity of ceramide, Bax and Bcl-2 in the lungs of neonatal rats exposed to limited and prolonged hyperoxia.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study is to examine the effect of limited and prolonged hyperoxia on neonatal rat lung. This is done by examining the morphologic changes of apoptosis, the expression of ceramide, an important mediator of apoptosis, the expression of inflammatory mediators represented by IL-1beta and the expression of 2 proto-oncogenes that appear to modulate apoptosis (Bax and Bcl-2). METHODS: Newborn rats were placed in chambers containing room air or oxygen above 90% for 7 days. The rats were sacrificed at 3, 7 or 14 days and their lungs removed. Sections were fixed, subjected to TUNEL, Hoechst, and E-Cadherin Staining. Sections were also incubated with anti-Bcl-2 and anti-Bax antisera. Bcl-2 and Bax were quantitated by immunohistochemistry. Lipids were extracted, and ceramide measured through a modified diacylglycerol kinase assay. RT-PCR was utilized to assess IL-1beta expression. RESULTS: TUNEL staining showed significant apoptosis in the hyperoxia-exposed lungs at 3 days only. Co-staining of the apoptotic cells with Hoechst, and E-Cadherin indicated that apoptotic cells were mainly epithelial cells. The expression of Bax and ceramide was significantly higher in the hyperoxia-exposed lungs at 3 and 14 days of age, but not at 7 days. Bcl-2 was significantly elevated in the hyperoxia-exposed lungs at 3 and 14 days. IL-1beta expression was significantly increased at 14 days. CONCLUSION: Exposure of neonatal rat lung to hyperoxia results in early apoptosis documented by TUNEL assay. The early rise in Bax and ceramide appears to overcome the anti-apoptotic activity of Bcl-2. Further exposure did not result in late apoptotic changes. This suggests that apoptotic response to hyperoxia is time sensitive. Prolonged hyperoxia results in acute lung injury and the shifting balance of ceramide, Bax and Bcl-2 may be related to the evolution of the inflammatory process.

Animals↗

The role of endothelin-1 in hyperoxia-induced lung injury in mice.

BACKGROUND: As prolonged hyperoxia induces extensive lung tissue damage, we set out to investigate the involvement of endothelin-1 (ET-1) receptors in these adverse changes. METHODS: Experiments were performed on four groups of mice: control animals kept in room air and a group of mice exposed to hyperoxia for 60 h were not subjected to ET-1 receptor blockade, whereas the dual ETA/ETB-receptor blocker tezosantan (TEZ) was administered via an intraperitoneal pump (10 mg/kg/day for 6 days) to other groups of normal and hyperoxic mice. The respiratory system impedance (Zrs) was measured by means of forced oscillations in the anesthetized, paralyzed and mechanically ventilated mice before and after the iv injection of ET-1 (2 microg). Changes in the airway resistance (Raw) and in the tissue damping (G) and elastance (H) of a constant-phase tissue compartment were identified from Zrs by model fitting. RESULTS: The plasma ET-1 level increased in the mice exposed to hyperoxia (3.3 +/- 1.6 pg/ml) relative to those exposed to room air (1.6 +/- 0.3 pg/ml, p < 0.05). TEZ administration prevented the hyperoxia-induced increases in G (13.1 +/- 1.7 vs. 9.6 +/- 0.3 cmH2O/l, p < 0.05) and H (59 +/- 9 vs. 41 +/- 5 cmH2O/l, p < 0.05) and inhibited the lung responses to ET-1. Hyperoxia decreased the reactivity of the airways to ET-1, whereas it elevated the reactivity of the tissues. CONCLUSION: These findings substantiate the involvement of the ET-1 receptors in the physiopathogenesis of hyperoxia-induced lung damage. Dual ET-1 receptor antagonism may well be of value in the prevention of hyperoxia-induced parenchymal damage.

Airway Resistance↗

Effects of dexamethasone on retinal and choroidal blood flow during normoxia and hyperoxia in newborn piglets.

Our purpose was to study the effect of dexamethasone (DEX) on choroidal (ChBF) and retinal blood flow (RBF) during normoxia and hyperoxia. Eighteen spontaneously breathing newborn piglets were examined. ChBF and RBF were measured using radiolabeled microspheres while the piglets were in normoxia before (RA1) and 45 min after either saline or DEX (2 mg/kg) infusion (RA2), and after 90 min of hyperoxia (O2) (Pao2 40-60 kPa). Vitreous prostanoids (prostaglandins F1 alpha and E2 and thromboxane B2) and leukotrienes (leukotriene B4) measurements were obtained during normoxia after either placebo or DEX infusion in an additional 22 piglets. Vitreous prostanoids were also studied after 90 min of hyperoxia. We found that RBF increased significantly after DEX infusion (p < 0.02). There was no change in RBF from RA1 to RA2, before and after saline infusion. RBF decreased significantly during hyperoxia in both groups (p < 0.03). ChBF did not change significantly between RA1 and RA2 in any of the groups. ChBF decreased significantly during hyperoxia in both groups (p < 0.03). Vitreous prostanoids and leukotrienes were reduced significantly after DEX infusion (p < 0.05). Prostanoids were similar in the two groups during hyperoxia. We concluded that DEX increases RBF significantly, but not ChBF. RBF and ChBF decreased in both groups during hyperoxia. Therefore, the metabolites of arachidonic acid do not seem to be involved as mediators of hyperoxic vasoconstriction.

Animals↗