Abstract
Previous studies have shown that fetal rat lung cultured in high glucose media exhibits decreased rate of choline incorporation into phosphatidylcholine, indicating delayed lung maturation. We have also demonstrated that by measuring fluorescence of a surfactant-associated probe both the quantity (intensity) and fluidity (anisocropy) of surfactant produced by this explant system and secreted into the culture media can be assessed. The present study was designed to explore the effects of differing glucose levels on fluorescence intensity and anisotropy.
19.5 day fetal rat lung explants were grown for 48 hr in media containing 10, 50, or 100mM glucose. Tissue homogenates and culture media were purified on Sephacryl columns, a fluorescent probe added to the surfactant fraction, and fluorescence intensity and anisotropy measured.
Fluorescence intensity was significantly lower in tissue cultured in 100mM glucose (74 ± 6% relative to 10mM values; p <.005). Significantly higher anisotropy (lower fluidity) was found in tissue grown in 100mM glucose; higher anisotropy was also noted in high glucose media samples (100mM>50mM>10mM) (Table).
Thus, glucose inhibits maturation of surfactant as measured by fluorescence in vitro. These results suggest that the delayed fetal lung development in diabetic gestation may be characterized by defects in fluidity as well as quantity of surfactant produced.
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Gewolb, I., Deutsch, J. & Cavalieri, R. HIGH GLUCOSE CONCENTRATIONS CAUSE DELAYED FETAL LUNG MATURATION AS MEASURED BY FLUORESCENCE ANISOTROPY AND I INTENSITY. Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 213 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00281
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00281