title: Platelet-activating factor antagonists decrease lung protein leak in preterm ventilated rabbits.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The preterm ventilated lung is characterized by an increased protein leak from the pulmonary vascular spaces into the air spaces, which interferes with lung function and plays a role in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome. To investigate the role of platelet-activating factor in this process, platelet-activating factor antagonists were given to preterm ventilated rabbits.
  
  
  METHODS
  New Zealand White rabbits were delivered on day 28 of 31 days' gestation. Each rabbit pup received saline solution or one of two platelet-activating factor antagonists and were ventilated for 30 minutes with measurement of compliance, surfactant pool size, and protein leak into and out of the lung. Statistical analysis was performed with analysis of variance followed by Student-Newman-Keuls correction for multiple comparisons.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were no differences in lung compliance, surfactant pool size, or protein leak out of the air spaces among any of the groups. Treatment with the platelet-activating factor antagonists decreased the protein leak into the air spaces by greater than 50% and into the lung as a whole by 40% (p less than 0.01).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Platelet-activating factor plays a role in the protein leak seen in the preterm lung, which contributes to neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Harbor--University of California, Los Angeles Medical Center, Torrance.
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Tabor
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ikegami
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Jobe
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000378:metabolism*; D005865:Gestational Age; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism*; D010539:Permeability; D010742:Phospholipid Ethers / Q000494:pharmacology; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*; D011506:Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants / Q000378:metabolism; D011817:Rabbits; D012121:Respiration, Artificial
chemical_list: D010742:Phospholipid Ethers; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D011506:Proteins; D011663:Pulmonary Surfactants; C037913:CV 3988