Normocapnic Alveolar Hypoxia Research Articles

100 Cardioprotective Effects of Cyclosporine in a Newborn Piglet Model of Asphyxia: A Dose-Response Study

Introduction: Myocardial depression following asphyxia of the newborn is a significant cause of mortality. Cyclosporine reduces myocardial damage in adult patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention for myocardial infarction. However, the potential cardioprotective effects of cyclosporine in neonates have not yet been studied. We hypothesize that cyclosporine in asphyxiated newborn piglets will improve cardiac function, systemic hemodynamics and oxygen metabolism. Methods: Thirty-six piglets (1-4 days-old) were instrumented for continuous monitoring of cardiac output and systemic arterial pressures. After stabilization, normocapnic alveolar hypoxia (10-15% oxygen) was instituted for 2h followed by reoxygenation with 100% oxygen for 0.5h, then 21% for 3.5h. Piglets were block randomized to receive one of three cyclosporine intravenous boluses (2.5, 10 or 25 mg/kg) or placebo (normal saline, control) after 5 minutes of 100% reoxygenation (n=8/group). Blood samples were collected for analysis of blood gases and plasma troponin. Statistical analysis performed using ANOVA. Results: All piglets demonstrated cardiogenic shock (cardiac output 45% of baseline), hypotension (systemic arterial pressure 30mmHg) and acidosis (pH=7.04) at the end of 2h of hypoxia. Cyclosporine treatment at reoxygenation caused dose-related improvements in cardiac output and oxygen delivery compared to controls (both P< 0.05). Cyclosporine at 10 mg/kg significantly improved stroke volume compared to controls, demonstrating preservation of cardiac function. Plasma troponin, a marker of myocardial damage, was significantly higher in controls than that of 2.5 and 10 mg/kg cyclosporine treatment groups. Conclusion: We first demonstrated that the post-resuscitation administration of cyclosporine caused dose-related preservation of cardiac function in newborn piglets following asphyxia-reoxygenation.

N-Acetylcysteine Improves Hemodynamics and Reduces Oxidative Stress in the Brains of Newborn Piglets with Hypoxia-Reoxygenation Injury

Reactive oxygen species have been implicated in the pathogenesis of hypoxic-ischemic injury. It has been shown previously that treating an animal with N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), a scavenger of free radicals, significantly minimizes hypoxic-ischemic-induced brain injury in various acute models. Using a subacute swine model of neonatal hypoxia-reoxygenation (H-R), we evaluated the long-term beneficial effect of NAC against oxidative stress-induced brain injury. Newborn piglets were randomly assigned to a sham-operated group (without H-R, n = 6), and two H-R experimental groups (n = 8 each), with 2 h normocapnic alveolar hypoxia and 1 h of 100% oxygen reoxygenation followed by 21% oxygen for 47 h. Five minutes after reoxygenation, the H-R piglets received either normal saline (H-R controls) or NAC (150 mg/kg bolus and 20 mg/kg/h IV for 24 h) in a blinded randomized fashion. Treating the piglets with NAC significantly increased both common carotid arterial flow (CCAF) and oxygen delivery during the early phase of rexoygenation, while both CCAF and carotid oxygen delivery of the H-R group remained lower than the sham-operated groups throughout the experimental period. Compared with H-R controls, significantly higher amounts of anesthetic and sedative medications were required to maintain the NAC-treated piglets in stable condition throughout the experimental period, indicating a stronger recovery. Post-resuscitation NAC treatment also significantly attenuated the increase in cortical caspase-3 and lipid hydroperoxide concentrations. Our findings suggest that post-resuscitation administration of NAC reduces cerebral oxidative stress with improved cerebral oxygen delivery, and probably attenuates apoptosis in newborn piglets with H-R insults.

Milrinone, dobutamine or epinephrine use in asphyxiated newborn pigs resuscitated with 100% oxygen

After resuscitation, asphyxiated neonates often develop poor cardiac function with hypotension, pulmonary hypertension and multiorgan ischemia. In a swine model of neonatal hypoxia-reoxygenation, effects of epinephrine, dobutamine and milrinone on systemic, pulmonary and regional hemodynamics and oxygen transport were compared. Controlled, block-randomized study. University research laboratory. Mixed breed piglets (1-3 days, 1.5-2.3 kg). In acutely instrumented piglets, normocapnic alveolar hypoxia (10-15% oxygen) was induced for 2 h followed by reoxygenation with 100% oxygen (1 h) then 21% oxygen (3 h). At 2 h of reoxygenation, after volume loading (Ringer's lactate 10 ml/kg), either saline (placebo), epinephrine (0.5 microg/kg/min), dobutamine (20 microg/kg/min) or milrinone (0.75 microg/kg/min) were infused for 2 h in a blinded, block-randomized fashion (n = 6/group). All medications similarly improved cardiac output, stroke volume and systemic oxygen delivery (vs. placebo-controls, p < 0.05). Epinephrine and dobutamine significantly increased, while milrinone maintained, mean arterial pressure over pretreatment values while placebo-treated piglets developed hypotension and shock. The mean arterial to pulmonary arterial pressures ratio was not different among groups. All medications significantly increased carotid and intestinal, but not renal, arterial blood flows and oxygen delivery, whereas milrinone caused lower renal vascular resistance than epinephrine and dobutamine-treated groups. Plasma troponin I, plasma and myocardial lactate levels, and histologic ischemic features were not different among groups. In newborn piglets with hypoxia-reoxygenation, epinephrine, dobutamine and milrinone are effective inotropes to improve cardiac output, carotid and intestinal perfusion, without aggravating pulmonary hypertension. Milrinone may also improve renal perfusion.

Post-resuscitation NOS inhibition does not improve hemodynamic recovery of hypoxic newborn pigs

Significant improvement in myocardial recovery has been shown previously with interventions to decrease reactive oxygen species after ischemia/hypoxia. We investigated whether co-administration of N-acetylcysteine (NAC, a scavenger for reactive oxygen species) and N (G)-monomethyl-L: -arginine (L-NMMA, a non-selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor) results in better hemodynamic recovery. Controlled, block-randomized study. University research laboratory. Mixed breed piglets (1-4d, 1.6-2.4 kg). Acutely instrumented piglets received normocapnic alveolar hypoxia (10-15% oxygen) for 2 h followed by reoxygenation with 100% oxygen (1 h) then 21% oxygen (3 h). After reoxygenation, hypoxic-reoxygenated piglets were given either saline (controls), NAC [30 mg/kg bolus + 20 mg/(kg h) infusion], NMMA [0.1 mg/kg bolus + 0.1 mg/(kg h) infusion] or NAC + L-NMMA via intravenous infusion in a blinded, randomized fashion (n = 8/group). Sham-operated piglets had no hypoxia-reoxygenation (n = 5). Both cardiac index and stroke volume of hypoxia-reoxygenation controls remained depressed during reoxygenation (vs. normoxic baseline, p < 0.05). Post-resuscitation treatment with L-NMMA alone did not improve systemic hemodynamic recovery, but caused pulmonary hypertension (vs. controls). In contrast, treating the piglets with either NAC or NAC + L-NMMA improved cardiac index and stroke volume, with no effect on heart rate and blood pressure (vs. controls). These treatments also decreased various oxidative stress markers in myocardial tissues (vs. controls). However, there was no significant difference between NAC- and NAC + L-NMMA groups in all examined parameters. Post-resuscitation administration of NAC improved cardiac function and reduced oxidative stress in newborn pigs with hypoxia-reoxygenation insult. Low-dose, non-selective inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase activity did not provide any further beneficial effect.

Effects of Postresuscitation N-Acetylcysteine on Cerebral Free Radical Production and Perfusion During Reoxygenation of Hypoxic Newborn Piglets

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitric oxide (NO) contribute to the pathogenesis of cerebral hypoxic-ischemic injury. We evaluated the neuroprotective effect of N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC, a free radical scavenger) against oxidative stress and perfusion in a model of neonatal hypoxia-reoxygenation (H-R). Piglets (1-3 d, 1.6-2.3 kg) were randomized into a sham-operated group (without H-R) (n = 5) and two H-R experimental groups (2 h normocapnic alveolar hypoxia followed by 4 h reoxygenation) (n = 7/group). Five minutes after reoxygenation, piglets were given either i.v. saline (H-R controls) or NAC (30 mg/kg bolus then 20 mg/kg/h infusion) in a blinded-randomized fashion. Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, carotid arterial blood flow (transit-time ultrasonic probe), cerebral cortical H2O2 and NO production (electrochemical sensor), cerebral tissue glutathione and nitrotyrosine levels (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) were examined. Hypoxic piglets were acidotic (pH 6.88-6.90), which recovered similarly in the H-R groups (p > 0.05 versus shams). Postresuscitation NAC treatment significantly attenuated the increase in cortical H2O2, but not NO, concentration during reoxygenation, with lower cerebral oxidized glutathione levels. NAC-treated piglets had significantly higher carotid oxygen delivery and lower cerebral lactate levels than that of H-R controls with corresponding changes in carotid arterial flow and vascular resistance. In newborn piglets with H-R, postresuscitation administration of NAC reduced cerebral oxidative stress and improved cerebral perfusion.

Dose-response effects of milrinone on hemodynamics of newborn pigs with hypoxia-reoxygenation

Neonatal asphyxia causes cardiogenic shock and pulmonary hypertension with decreased brain perfusion. We examined the dose-response of milrinone on systemic, pulmonary, and carotid circulations in a model of neonatal hypoxia-reoxygenation. Controlled, block-randomized study in a university research laboratory. Mixed breed piglets (1-3 days, 1.5-2.3 kg). In acutely instrumented piglets normocapnic alveolar hypoxia (10-15% oxygen) was induced for 2 h followed by reoxygenation with 100% oxygen (1 h) then 21% oxygen (3 h). At 2 h of reoxygenation after a volume loading (10 ml/kg) either saline or milrinone (bolus and infusion at 0.25, 0.5, or 0.75 microg/kg per minute) was given for 2 h in a blinded-randomized fashion (n = 7/group). All milrinone-treated groups had higher cardiac output and stroke volume than those of saline-treated hypoxic controls, which showed progressive decline in these measurements. At 2 h of infusion plasma milrinone levels were significantly correlated with cardiac output (r = 0.6), which increased from pretreatment value in the group receiving 0.75 microg/kg per minute. Milrinone maintained mean arterial pressure; heart rate and pulmonary arterial pressure did not differ between groups. Milrinone prevented continued increases in systemic and pulmonary vascular resistances after hypoxia-reoxygenation. Milrinone infusion at higher doses increased common carotid flow. Milrinone-treated piglets had increased systemic and carotid oxygen delivery, with no difference in plasma and myocardial lactate levels among groups. When used to treat shock in newborn piglets with hypoxia-reoxygenation, milrinone improved cardiac output and carotid flow while maintaining systemic blood pressure. Pulmonary hypertension was not aggravated. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings in asphyxiated neonates.

EPINEPHRINE VERSUS DOPAMINE TO TREAT SHOCK IN HYPOXIC NEWBORN PIGS RESUSCITATED WITH 100% OXYGEN

Shock and tissue hypoperfusion are common after asphyxia. We compared systemic and regional hemodynamic effects of epinephrine and dopamine in the treatment of shock and hypotension in asphyxiated newborn piglets resuscitated with 100% oxygen. Twenty-four piglets (1-3 days old; weight, 1.4-2.6 kg) were acutely instrumented to measure cardiac index (CI), carotid, mesenteric and renal arterial blood flows, and mean systemic (SAPs) and pulmonary arterial pressures (PAPs). Piglets had normocapnic alveolar hypoxia (F(IO2)=0.08-0.10) for 50 min and reoxygenated with F(IO2)=1.0 for 1 h then F(IO2)=0.21 for 3.5 h. After 2 h reoxygenation, either dopamine (2 microg kg(-1) min(-1)) or epinephrine (0.2 microg kg(-1) min(-1)) was given for 30 min in a blinded randomized manner, which was then increased to maintain SAP (within 10% of baseline, pressure-driven dose) for 2 h. Hypoxia caused hypotension (SAP, 44%+/-3% of baseline), cardiogenic shock (CI, 41%+/-4%), and metabolic acidosis (mean pH, 7.04-7.09). Upon reoxygenation, hemodynamic parameters immediately recovered but gradually deteriorated during 2 h with SAP at 45+/-1 mmHg, CI at 74+/-9% of baseline, and pH 7.32+/-0.03. Low doses of either drug had no significant systemic and renal hemodynamic response. Epinephrine (0.3-1.5 microg kg(-1) min(-1)) for 2 h increased SAP and CI (with higher stroke volume) and decreased pulmonary vascular resistance (with reduced PAP-SAP ratio), whereas the responses with dopamine (10-25 microg kg(-1) min(-1)) were modest. Low-dose epinephrine improved mesenteric and carotid arterial flows, whereas the pressure-driven doses of epinephrine and dopamine increased carotid and mesenteric arterial flows, respectively. To treat shock in asphyxiated newborn piglets resuscitated with 100% oxygen, epinephrine exhibits an inotropic action compared with dopamine, whereas both catecholamines can increase carotid and mesenteric perfusion.

The systemic, pulmonary and regional hemodynamic recovery of asphyxiated newborn piglets resuscitated with 18%, 21% and 100% oxygen

The increase in oxidative stress following neonatal hypoxia-reoxygenation can be related to subsequent cardiovascular deficits. We compared the acute systemic, pulmonary and regional hemodynamic recovery in hypoxic newborn pigs reoxygenated by low (18%) or high (100%) concentration of oxygen with that by 21% oxygen. Pigs (1-3 days, 1.5-2.5 kg) were acutely instrumented to continuously measure pulmonary artery flow (surrogate for cardiac index), mean and pulmonary artery pressures, common carotid, superior mesenteric and renal artery flow indices. After 1h of normocapnic alveolar hypoxia (8-10% oxygen), animals were randomized to receive 18%, 21% or 100% oxygen for 1h then 21% oxygen for 3 h (n=7 per group). Sham-operated pigs (n=6) had no hypoxia-reoxygenation. Severe hypoxia caused significant compromises in systemic and regional hemodynamics and oxygen delivery (vs. shams). Despite reoxygenation, mean arterial pressure remained significantly lower than that of shams with no difference among hypoxic-reoxygenated groups. There was an oxygen-dependent recovery of pulmonary artery pressure. Cardiac index improved with reoxygenation but deteriorated over time in the 100% group. Both 18% and 100% groups had lower systemic oxygen delivery. Regional flows and oxygen delivery in all hypoxic-reoxygenated piglets were similarly reduced in all groups. In this swine model of neonatal hypoxia-reoxygenation, resuscitation with 18% and 100% oxygen results in differential compromises in systemic and pulmonary circulations when compared with 21% oxygen.

Oxidative stress and matrix metalloproteinase-9 activity in the liver after hypoxia and reoxygenation with 21% or 100% oxygen in newborn piglets

We designed a randomized controlled study to identify and compare the liver tissue responses in systemic hypoxia and resuscitation with 21% and 100% oxygen using an animal model of neonatal hypoxia and reoxygenation. Twenty-seven piglets (1–3 days old, weight 1.5–2.0 kg) were acutely instrumented and mechanically ventilated. The animals underwent 2 h of normocapnic alveolar hypoxia (10–15% oxygen) then reoxygenation with 21% or 100% oxygen for 1 h, then 1 h with 21% oxygen. Controls were sham-operated without hypoxia-reoxygenation. After 2 h of reoxygenation liver tissue samples were immediately processed for histological and biochemical analyses of markers of oxidative stress and tissue injury. Two hours of hypoxia caused a significant reduction in mean arterial pressure with cardiogenic shock and metabolic acidemia, with similar recovery upon resuscitation with 21% and 100% oxygen. After 2 h of reoxygenation, the hepatic GSSG:total glutathione ratio and matrix metalloproteninase-9 activity, which correlated with the portal venous oxygenation at 15 min of reoxygenation, were greater in the 100% group and hepatic lactate level was higher in the 21% group than the controls (all P<0.05). Both hypoxic-reoxygenated groups had similarly elevated hepatic Bcl-2 levels. Apart from more non-distinct mitochondria identified in the 100% group, hepatic tissue adenylate energy charge and plasma transaminases levels did not differ among groups. We concluded that in this acute model of neonatal hypoxia and reoxygenation, resuscitation using 21% oxygen avoids the excess oxidative stress and elevated matrix metalloproteninase-9 activity in the liver when 100% oxygen was used. The study supports the conservative use of oxygen in optimizing post-hypoxic hepatic recovery.

Postresuscitation N-acetylcysteine treatment reduces cerebral hydrogen peroxide in the hypoxic piglet brain

Reactive oxygen species have been implicated in the pathogenesis of hypoxia-reoxygenation injury. However, little information is known regarding the temporal profile of cerebral hydrogen peroxide (HPO) production and its response to N-acetylcysteine (an antioxidant) administration during neonatal hypoxia-reoxygenation. Using an acute swine model of neonatal hypoxia-reoxygenation, we examined the short-term neuroprotective effects of N-acetylcysteine on cerebral HPO production and oxidative stress in the brain. Controlled, block-randomized animal study. University animal research laboratory. Newborn piglets (1-3 days, 1.7-2.1 kg). At 5 min after reoxygenation, piglets were given either saline or N-acetylcysteine (20 or 100 mg/kg/h) in a blinded, randomized fashion. Newborn piglets were block-randomized into a sham-operated group (without hypoxia-reoxygenation, n = 5) and three hypoxic-reoxygenated groups (2 h of normocapnic alveolar hypoxia followed by 2h of reoxygenation, n = 7/group). Heart rate, mean arterial pressure, cortical HPO concentration, amino acid levels in cerebral microdialysate, and cerebral tissue glutathione and lipid hydroperoxide levels were examined. Hypoxic piglets were hypotensive and acidotic, and they recovered similarly in all hypoxic-reoxygenated groups. In hypoxic-reoxygenated control piglets, the cortical HPO concentration gradually increased during reoxygenation. Both doses of N-acetylcysteine abolished the increased HPO concentration and oxidized glutathione levels and tended to reduce the glutathione ratio and lipid hydroperoxide levels in the cerebral cortex (p = 0.08 and p = 0.1 vs. controls, respectively). N-acetylcysteine at 100mg/kg/h also increased the cerebral extracellular taurine levels. In newborn piglets with hypoxia-reoxygenation, postresuscitation administration of N-acetylcysteine reduces cerebral HPO production and oxidative stress, probably through a taurine-related mechanism.

THE HEMODYNAMIC EFFECTS OF DOBUTAMINE DURING REOXYGENATION AFTER HYPOXIA

Asphyxiated neonates usually have myocardial stunning and hypotension and require inotropic support. A randomized controlled study was designed to examine the dose-response effect of dobutamine (5-20 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)) on systemic and regional circulations and oxygen metabolism in a neonatal swine model of hypoxia/reoxygenation. Thirty-eight anesthetized newborn piglets were acutely instrumented for continuous monitoring of heart rate, systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures, and pulmonary (surrogate for cardiac index), right common carotid, and superior mesenteric and left renal arterial flows. After stabilization, they were exposed to normocapnic alveolar hypoxia (10%-15% oxygen) for 2 h followed by reoxygenation with 100% oxygen for 1 h, then 21% for 3 h. Piglets were block randomized to receive dobutamine infusion (5, 10, or 20 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)) or saline (control) at 2 to 4 h of reoxygenation (n = 8 each). A nonasphyxiated, sham-operated group was included (n = 6). Blood samples were collected for blood gas analysis, arterial and venous co-oximetry, and plasma lactate concentration determination. At 2-h reoxygenation after hypoxia, there was hypotension (systemic arterial pressure, 27 to 36 mmHg) and myocardial dysfunction (cardiac index from 178-209 to 134-156 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)). Cardiac index improved significantly with 20 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) of dobutamine (P < 0.05) and modestly in the treatment groups of 5 and 10 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1) (P < 0.1) (at 120 min, 172 +/- 35, 160 +/- 30, and 158 +/- 56 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1) vs. 119 +/- 33 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1) of controls, respectively), with corresponding increases in stroke volume. Pulmonary vascular resistance was lower in all dobutamine-treated groups (vs. controls, P < 0.05) There were no differences in heart rate, systemic and pulmonary arterial pressures, systemic vascular resistance, and regional flows between groups. The group of 20 mug.kg.min of dobutamine also had higher systemic oxygen delivery (at 120 min, 18 +/- 5 vs. 11 +/- 3 O(2) mL x kg(-1) x min(-1) of controls, P < 0.05) with no significant differences in systemic oxygen consumption and regional oxygen delivery between groups. After the reoxygenation of newborn piglets with severe hypoxia, high dose of dobutamine is effective to treat myocardial stunning and low cardiac output with no significant effect on blood pressure or regional circulation. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm these findings in the human neonate.