Abstract
Background: Clinical and experimental evidence supports the hypothesis that there is an alteration of pulmonary surfactant system (PSS) in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) with pulmonary hypoplasia (PH). In fact, several authors have reported the exogenous surfactant administration in human newborns with CDH. Methods: CDH was induced in fetal rats by Nitrofen® administration on 9.5 day of gestation. Fetuses were recovered at term and lungs dissected and weighted. They were divided in 3 groups (n=6): untreated controls (Control) and Nitrofen-treated fetuses with (CDH) or without left-sided diaphragmatic hernia (no-CDH). DNA, protein, total phospholipids (PL) and disaturated PC (DSPC) contents were individually measured. Conclusions: There is a marked PH (low lung/body weight ratio and DNA content) in Nitrofen-treated fetuses and cellular atrophy in those with CDH (low Protein/DNA). At term, a decreased PL/DNA ratio and particularly DSPC/DNA are consistent findings with immaturity of PSS. Studies of the early fetal PSS maturation pattern could clarify-that issue. Supported by Grants: FIS 93/0031 and Basque Government RS/218.
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