The effects of hyperoxia on alveolar epithelial cells of neonatal rats with bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Abstract

Objective To investigate the effects of alveolar epithelial cells (AEC ) on bronchopulmonary dysplasis(BPD) induced by hyperoxia in newborn rats. Methods The model of BPD induced by hyperoxia in neonatal rats was established.HE staining was used to observe the alveolar septum and alveoli development.The expression of the specific surfactant protein C (SPC) on type II alveolar epithelial cells (AEC II) and the expression of specific aquaporin 5 (aquaporin5 AQP5) on type I alveolar epithelial cells (type I alveolar epithelialcells, AECI) were measured by immunohistochemistry. Results There was no significant difference of AQP5 between experimental groups and control group at 1d, but significantly lower expression of AQP5 could be seen in experimental group1 on day3(P<0.05). And then, the AQP5 level of lung tissue of newborn rats at 5, 7, 14d after experiment in group1 was significantly lower than that of in air control group(P<0.05). The expression of SPC protein had no significant difference between experimental groups and control group at 1d, but the SPC level of lung tissue of newborn rats at 3, 7, 14d after experiment in group1 was significant lower than that of in air control group(P<0.05). Conclusion Hyperoxia exposure leads to the expression of SP-C and AQP5 decreased, which may be key points for the development of BPD.AECII may play an important role in the repairation of alveolar epithelial cells in neonatal rats with BPD induced by hyperoxia. Key words: Hyperoxia; Alveolar epithelial cells; Bronchopulmonary dysplasia; Aquaporin