Background
Exposure of neonatal mice to hyperoxia
Conclusions
HC decreases hyperoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling and attenuates PDE5 activity. These findings suggest that HC may protect against hyperoxic injury in the developing pulmonary vasculature.
Methods
C57BL/6 mice were placed in 21% O2 or 75% O2 within 24 h of birth and received HC (1, 5, or 10 mg/kg subcutaneously every other day) or vehicle. At 14 d, right ventricular hypertrophy (RVH), medial wall thickness (MWT), lung morphometry, and pulmonary artery (PA) PDE5 activity were assessed. PDE5 activity was measured in isolated pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells exposed to 21 or 95% O2 ± 100 nmol/l HC for 24 h.
Results
Hyperoxia resulted in alveolar simplification, RVH, increased MWT, and increased PA PDE5 activity. HC decreased hyperoxia-induced RVH and attenuated MWT. HC had dose-dependent effects on alveolar simplification. HC decreased hyperoxia-induced PDE5 activity both in vivo and in vitro. Conclusions: HC decreases hyperoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling and attenuates PDE5 activity. These findings suggest that HC may protect against hyperoxic injury in the developing pulmonary vasculature.