Prophylactic effects of dexamethasone in lung injury caused by hyperoxia and hyperventilation

Abstract

To determine if prophylactic corticosteroids would prevent acute lung injury caused by hyperoxia and barotrauma, 29 piglets (1.2 +/- 0.3 kg, 1–2 days of age) were studied. Ten piglets were hyperventilated [arterial PCO2 (PaCO2) 15–20 Torr] with 100% O2 for 48 h and compared with 10 piglets treated with the identical management but given 0.7 mg/kg of dexamethasone at time 0 and every 12 h for the 48-h study. Six piglets were normally ventilated (PaCO2 40–45 Torr) for 48 h with 21% O2 as an additional control group. Pulmonary function and tracheal aspirates were examined at time 0 and every 24 h. Bronchoalveolar lavage was performed for surfactant analyses at the conclusion of the study. In animals treated with hyperoxia and hyperventilation, lung compliance decreased 32% and tracheal aspirate polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) chemotactic activity increased by 51%, cell counts by 204%, number of PMNs by 277%, elastase activity by 111%, and albumin concentration by 328% over 48 h (P less than 0.05). In contrast, dexamethasone-treated piglets had increases in only tracheal aspirate albumin concentration (206%) over the 48-h study. All cellular and biochemical variables were lower in dexamethasone-treated compared with hyperoxic hyperventilated piglets. Room air normal ventilation controls had only a 108% increase in tracheal aspirate albumin concentration noted. Despite quantitative differences in surfactant among the three groups, activity was unaffected. Results indicate that hyperoxia and hyperventilation for 48 h causes significant inflammatory changes and acute lung injury and that prophylactic high-dose dexamethasone significantly ameliorates this lung damage.