Intrapulmonary perfluorooctyl bromide instillation in fetal rabbits.
BACKGROUND
Instilling perfluorooctyl bromide (PFOB) into the fetal lung may lead to alveolar distension.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety of PFOB instillation into fetal lungs and to determine the radiographic distribution and tissue concentration of PFOB in New Zealand white rabbits.


METHODS
Sibling fetuses of pregnant (day 27) New Zealand white rabbits were randomized to intratracheal instillation of 1 mL PFOB with tracheal ligation, instillation without ligation, and unmanipulated controls. The maternal animals were killed directly after instillation, at 3 or 6 hours (n = 10 each). For each study cohort, we determined fetal lung/body weight (FLBW) ratios, the radiographic distribution of PFOB, as well as pulmonary PFOB and water content by tissue distillation. PFOB concentrations in maternal and fetal tissues were assessed by gas chromatography.


RESULTS
The relative amount of fetal lung PFOB recovered by fractional distillation was highest in ligated (25%) and lower in unligated lungs (9%). Extrapulmonary PFOB was found in the fetal brain (2.0 +/- 0.7 ppm), but not in any other fetal or maternal tissues. Mean FLBW ratios were highest in ligated fetuses, followed by unligated fetuses and controls. PFOB partially displaced fetal lung water. PFOB was visible in the lungs of all treated fetuses. Fetal survival between manipulated and unmanipulated fetuses did not differ.


CONCLUSIONS
After prenatal intrapulmonary instillation, some PFOB remains in the lung, even if the trachea is not ligated, and may exert distending pressure on the alveoli.
Muensterer
Oliver J
OJ
Department of Pediatric Surgery, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, University of Munich, 80337 Munich, Germany. oliver.muensterer@med.uni-muenchen.de
Klis
Verena J
VJ
Till
Holger
H
Bergmann
Florian
F
Metzger
Roman
R
Simbruner
Georg
G
D000818:Animals; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; D008168:Lung / Q000254:growth & development; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D011817:Rabbits; D014132:Trachea / Q000601:surgery
D003287:Contrast Media; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; C003072:perflubron