Intratracheal Keratinocyte Growth Factor Enhances Surfactant Protein B Expression in Mechanically Ventilated Preterm Pigs.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a devastating disease of prematurity that is associated with mechanical ventilation and hyperoxia. We used preterm pigs delivered at gestational day 102 as a translational model for 26-28-week infants to test the hypothesis administering recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor (rhKGF) at initiation of mechanical ventilation will stimulate type II cell proliferation and surfactant production, mitigate ventilator induced lung injury, and reduce epithelial to mesenchymal transition considered as a precursor to BPD. Newborn preterm pigs were intubated and randomized to receive intratracheal rhKGF (20 μg/kg; = 6) or saline (0.

Lung volume recruitment in a preterm pig model of lung immaturity.

A translational preterm pig model analogous to infants born at 28 wk of gestation revealed that continuous positive airway pressure results in limited lung recruitment but does not prevent respiratory distress syndrome, whereas assist-control + volume guarantee (AC+VG) ventilation improves recruitment but can cause injury, highlighting the need for improved ventilation strategies. We determined whether airway pressure release ventilation (APRV) can be used to recruit the immature lungs of preterm pigs without injury. Spontaneously breathing pigs delivered at 89% of term (model for 28-wk infants) were randomized to 24 h of APRV (n = 9) vs.

A preterm pig model of lung immaturity and spontaneous infant respiratory distress syndrome.

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia remain the leading causes of preterm infant morbidity, mortality, and lifelong disability. Research to improve outcomes requires translational large animal models for RDS. Preterm pigs delivered by caesarian section at gestation days (GD) 98, 100, 102, and 104 were provided 24 h of neonatal intensive care, monitoring (pulse oximetry, blood gases, serum biomarkers, radiography), and nutritional support, with or without intubation and mechanical ventilation (MV; pressure control ventilation with volume guarantee).