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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
biochemistry, genetics and molecular biology
Repeated ethanol exposure during late gestation alters the maturation and innate immune status of the ovine fetal lung
American Journal of Physiology - Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Volume 296, No. 3, Year 2009
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Description
Little is known about the effects of fetal ethanol exposure on lung development. Our aim was to determine the effects of repeated ethanol exposure during late gestation on fetal lung growth, maturation, and inflammatory status. Pregnant ewes were chronically catheterized at 91 days of gestational age (DGA; term ∼147 days). From 95-133 DGA, ewes were given a 1-h daily infusion of either 0.75 g ethanol/kg (n = 9) or saline (n = 8), with tissue collection at 134 DGA. Fetal lungs were examined for changes in tissue growth, structure, maturation, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Between treatment groups, there were no differences in lung weight, DNA and protein contents, percent proliferating and apoptotic cells, tissue and air-space fractions, alveolar number and mean linear intercept, septal thickness, type-II cell number and elastin content. Ethanol exposure caused a 75% increase in pulmonary collagen I α1 mRNA levels (P < 0.05) and a significant increase in collagen deposition. Surfactant protein (SP)-A and SP-B mRNA levels were approximately one third of control levels following ethanol exposure (P < 0.05). The mRNA levels of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-8 were also lower (P < 0.05) in ethanol-exposed fetuses compared with controls. Pulmonary malondialdehyde levels tended to be increased (P = 0.07) in ethanol-exposed fetuses. Daily exposure of the fetus to ethanol during the last third of gestation alters extracellular matrix deposition and surfactant protein gene expression, which could increase the risk of respiratory distress syndrome after birth. Changes to the innate immune status of the fetus could increase the susceptibility of the neonatal lungs to infection. Copyright © 2009 the American Physiological Society.
Authors & Co-Authors
Sozo, F.
Australia, Clayton
Monash University
O'Day, Luke
Australia, Clayton
Monash University
Maritz, Gert S.
South Africa, Bellville
University of the Western Cape
Kenna, Kelly R.
Australia, Clayton
Monash University
Stacy, Victoria K.
Australia, Clayton
Monash University
Brew, Nadine
Australia, Clayton
Monash University
Walker, David W.
Australia, Clayton
Monash University
Bocking, Alan D.
Canada, Toronto
University of Toronto
Brien, James F.
Canada, Kingston
Queen’s University
Harding, Richard Kent
Australia, Clayton
Monash University
Statistics
Citations: 54
Authors: 10
Affiliations: 4
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1152/ajplung.90532.2008
ISSN:
10400605
e-ISSN:
15221504
Research Areas
Environmental
Genetics And Genomics
Maternal And Child Health