title: Dexamethasone suppresses expression of Nuclear Factor-kappaB in the cells of tracheobronchial lavage fluid in premature neonates with respiratory distress.
abstract: Nuclear Factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) plays a central role in regulating the key mediators of inflammation involved in acute lung injury. The anti-inflammatory effect of steroids by suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines may be mediated by inhibition of transcription factor NF-kappaB. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of glucocorticoid therapy on the expression of NF-kappaB in the cells of tracheobronchial lavage fluid (TBLF) in premature neonates with respiratory distress. Nineteen premature neonates requiring mechanical ventilation and receiving glucocorticoids were enrolled. Their gestational age (mean +/- SD) was 25.0 +/- 1.2 wk, birth weight 714 +/- 105 g and age of starting dexamethasone was 33 +/- 15 d. Tracheobronchial lavage fluid was collected before and 48-72 h after starting dexamethasone. NF-kappaB expression was measured by immunocytochemistry using mouse MAb against the p65 subunit of NF-kappaB on cytospin slides. The percent of cells stained and the intensity staining index were significantly higher before starting dexamethasone compared with after steroid therapy. Localization of NF-kappaB was significantly decreased in the cytoplasm and nuclei of mononuclear cells after initiation of dexamethasone therapy. The concentration of IL-8 was also significantly lower after starting dexamethasone. In conclusion, dexamethasone suppressed the expression of NF-kappaB in the cytoplasm and nuclei of mononuclear cells and decreased levels of IL-8 in TBLF from premature neonates with respiratory distress. The anti-inflammatory effects of corticosteroids may be mediated through NF-kappaB.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Cooper University Hospital-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Camden, NJ 08103, USA. aghai-zubair@cooperhealth.edu
authors.forename: Zubair H
authors.initials: ZH
authors.lastname: Aghai
authors.forename: Sanjay
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Sabeena
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Farhath
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Judy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Saslow
authors.forename: Tarek
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nakhla
authors.forename: Riva
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eydelman
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Strande
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stahl
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hewitt
authors.forename: Mirjana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nesin
authors.forename: Irfan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rahman
mesh_terms: D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D012127:Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn / Q000097:blood*; D014132:Trachea / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D016328:NF-kappa B; D003907:Dexamethasone