Abstract
We examined effects of dexamethasone (DEX) and T3 on PC synthesis in 40 specimens of human fetal lung (15-22 wk gestation) cultured for 4-8 d in serum-free Waymouth's medium with 95% air/5% CO2 on a rocker platform. In the absence of hormones, there was no consistent change in choline incorporation into PC and saturated PC during culture; PC content was 18.3 ± 2.3 μg PC-Pi/mg DNA in preculture tissue and 39.4 ± 3.4 (n=13) after 7 d culture. Choline into PC was stimulated by T3, DEX, and T3+DEX 11.9 ± 4.8, 36.6 ± 11.7, and 107 ± 36.5% (n=7), respectively, after 2 d exposure, and 51.6 ± 12.6, 103.4 ± 14.2, and 165 ± 16.8% after 6 d exposure. The content of PC increased 37.0 ± 7.6, 90.3 ± 16, and 125 ± 22% after 6 d with T3, DEX, and T3+DEX, respectively. The % saturation of newly synthesized PC was 19.9 ± 1.8, 20.9 ± 2.1, 26.4 ± 1.5 (P < .05), and 26.0 ± 1.8 (P < .05) in control, T3-, DEX-, and T3+DEX-treated cultures, respectively. Stimulation occurred by 24 h and was optimal after 4-6 d of exposure to the hormones. DEX was optimal at ˜10 nM and T3 at ˜1 nM. Cortisol was about 10% as potent as DEX and estriol was inactive. T4 and rT3 were about 10% and 1% as potent as T3.
We conclude that both DEX and T3 increase saturated PC synthesis in cultured human lung, apparently acting through receptor-mediated mechanisms. We suggest that combined hormonal treatment may be more effective than glucocorticoid alone in stimulating surfactant synthesis.
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Gonzales, L., Ballard, P. GLUCOCORTICOID AND THYROID HORMONE STIMULATION OF PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE (PC) SYNTHESIS IN CULTURED HUMAN FETAL LUNG. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 310 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01300
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-01300