Effect of food restriction on hyperoxia-induced lung injury in preterm guinea pig.

Abstract

Undernutrition may exacerbate hyperoxia-induced lung injury, a finding that may be of significance in the early clinical management of the premature human infant. Addressing this specific problem, we found that 72 h of food restriction in guinea pig pups delivered 3 days preterm increased mortality rates among pups exposed to 95% oxygen (8/18) and yet had no effect on 21% oxygen (air)-exposed pups (0/10). Reduced tolerance of hyperoxic conditions was not, however, associated with increased lung injury, assessed as pulmonary microvascular leakage. Pulmonary antioxidant enzyme activities [Cu,Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD), Mn SOD, glutathione peroxidase, and catalase] were unaltered by starvation or hyperoxia. Lung glutathione concentration was slightly decreased after food restriction, whereas hyperoxic exposure did not change either lung or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid glutathione concentrations or lung antioxidant enzyme activities. Increased susceptibility to the lethal effects of oxygen in the starved preterm guinea pig pup could not be attributed to a deficiency of pulmonary antioxidant defenses.