Surface activity of surfactant spiked with vitamin A.
BACKGROUND
Intramuscular injections of vitamin A decrease the risk of broncho-pulmonary dysplasia. Admixture of vitamin A with surfactant as a lipophilic vehicle might be a less invasive modality.


OBJECTIVE
Test physical properties of surfactant + vitamin A.


METHODS
Miscibility and surface activity were tested in surfactant supplemented with retinyl-acetate, -palmitate, 13-cis-, or all-trans-retinoic acid.


RESULTS
Retinol acetate (5000 IU/mL) demonstrated miscibility with surfactant when premixing with ethanol. Its surface activity was 40% lower compared to surfactant alone.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings warrant preclinical studies to test whether administration of vitamin A in subjects requiring surfactant is associated with beneficial functional properties.
Bronshtein
Vadim
V
Division of Neonatology, Children's and Women's Health Centre of British Columbia, University of British Columbia, 4480 Oak Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
Venkatesh
Vugranam
V
Aulakh
Jas
J
Chessex
Philippe
P