Inhaled nitric oxide: effects on cerebral growth and injury in a baboon model of premature delivery.
Inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) enhances ventilation in very preterm infants, but the effects on the brain remain uncertain. We evaluated the impact of iNO on brain growth and cerebral injury in a premature baboon model. Baboons were delivered at 125 d of gestation (term 185 d of gestation) and ventilated for 14 d with either positive pressure ventilation (PPV) (n = 7) or PPV + iNO (n = 8). Brains were assessed histologically for parameters of development and injury. Compared with gestational controls (n = 7), brain and body weights were reduced but brain-to-body weight ratios were increased in all prematurely delivered (PD) animals; the surface folding index (SFI), was reduced in PPV but not PPV + iNO animals. Compared with controls, the brain damage index was increased (p < 0.05) in both cohorts of PD animals. There was no difference between ventilatory regimens, however, in 25% of animals with iNO therapy, there were organized hematomas in the subarachnoid space. Overall, iNO did not alter the extent of brain damage but did result in the presence of hematomas. These results do not confirm any protective or major injurious effect of nitric oxide therapy on the developing brain.
Rees
Sandra M
SM
Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3010, Australia. s.rees@unimelb.edu.au
Camm
Emily J
EJ
Loeliger
Michelle
M
Cain
Sarah
S
Dieni
Sandra
S
McCurnin
Donald
D
Shaul
Philip W
PW
Yoder
Bradley
B
McLean
Catriona
C
Inder
Terrie E
TE
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001835:Body Weight; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000502:physiology; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009929:Organ Size; D010215:Papio; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth
D009569:Nitric Oxide