Endocrine influences on pulmonary maturation and the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in the fetal baboon.
By utilizing the baboon model system, preliminary data indicate that intra-amniotic dexamethasone caused an increase in the L/S ratio. Metopirone 11-betahydroxylase inhibition prevented the expected increase in the L/S ratio without influencing pulmonary distensibility, stability on deflation, or lung mince minimal surface tension. Infants born at term to Metopirone-treated baboons were free of pulmonary distress and survived to adolescence.
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus / Q000502:physiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008168:Lung / Q000196:embryology*; D008797:Metyrapone / Q000494:pharmacology; D006899:Mixed Function Oxygenases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D010215:Papio; D010713:Phosphatidylcholines / Q000032:analysis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013109:Sphingomyelins / Q000032:analysis; D013500:Surface Tension
D010713:Phosphatidylcholines; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; D013109:Sphingomyelins; D003907:Dexamethasone; D006899:Mixed Function Oxygenases; D008797:Metyrapone