Abstract 1899 Poster Session IV, Tuesday, 5/4 (poster 339)

Because of the finding that surfactant protein A, a glycosylated protein, reduces inactivation of surfactant by a variety of substances, we explored the effects of simple sugars, dextrans, and other polymers on prevention of inactivation. Results in vitro have shown remarkable effects of polymers. We therefore have compared the effects of Survanta vs. Survanta and polymer (5% PEG, 10kDa) or control groups in treating an adult rat model of acute lung injury. Sprague Dawley rats were anesthetized, paralyzed, and maintained on a volume regulated ventilator with 100% O2, then given 5 mL/kg body weight of 3% meconium (dry weight) in saline by endotracheal tube. After 60 minutes, the rats were treated with 50 mg/kg of Survanta with or without PEG. Peak inspiratory pressures and carotid blood gases were followed for three hours. Results for the three hour measurements are shown in the table. (PaO2 in torr; inspiratory pressure in cm H2O; and total lung capacity-TLC- in mL/g of estimated lung weight. Means +/- SEM. P < 0.02 when comparing each endpoint of Survanta vs. Survanta/PEG groups. No significant difference exists between endpoints of Survanta vs. Meconium/no treatment groups). Results indicate that treatment with Survanta/PEG shows more improvement than with Survanta alone. We speculate that addition of polymers to Survanta will improve the response to treatment in a variety of lung injuries.

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