T. D. Tshiyombo, M. R. Oulton
Comparative effects of chronic exposure to glucose or sodium butyrate on surfactant development in fetal rabbits
Background: Infants of diabetic mothers (IDM) often
have delayed lung development and are thus at an
increased risk of Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS).
Both hyperglycemia and/or hyperinsulinemia have been
implicated in this delay but the precise mechanism has
not been clarified. Another metabolite, sodium butyrate,
which is increased in IDM has been shown to decrease
surfactant production in vitro but its effects on the development of the fetal lung surfactant system in vivo
have not been studied.
Aim: To investigate the in vivo effects of high glucose
and sodium butyrate treatment on maternal and fetal
glucose and insulin levels and on fetal lung surfactant
maturation using timed-pregnant New Zealand White
rabbits.
Methods: On the 24th day of gestation the doe was
implanted s.c. with time release pellets containing either
glucose (300 mg), sodium butyrate (200 mg) or matching
placebo. On the 27th or 30th day maternal (ear vein)
and fetal (cardiac puncture) blood samples were drawn
for glucose and insulin determinations. Fetal surfactant
pools (both intra- and extracellular) were quantitatively
harvested using differential and density gradient centrifugation
and their phospholipid profiles determined.
Data were statistically compared with ANOVA and
Duncan's Multiple Range Test.
Results: Neither glucose nor sodium butyrate affected
maternal plasma glucose or insulin. Both metabolites
significantly increased fetal plasma insulin, decreased
fetal plasma glucose but did not delay any of the parameters
of surfactant maturation examined.
Conclusions: Fetal hyperinsulinemia, whether attained
by prolonged exposure to elevated glucose or sodium
butyrate in vivo does not appear to be the causative
agent for delayed lung maturity which frequently occurs
in infants of diabetic mothers.
Journal of Perinatal Medicine, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 1619-3997
Volume: 29, 11/2001
Pages: 476 - 485
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