BACKGROUND: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) delivered acutely to the ovine fetus induces cerebral white matter injury and brain inflammation. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is potentially neuroprotective as it blocks the production of inflammatory cytokines and increases glutathione levels; however, it is unknown whether NAC affects the physiological status of the fetus already exposed to an inflammatory environment. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to determine whether NAC influences the physiological effects of LPS exposure in the ovine fetus. METHODS: Catheterized fetal sheep underwent one of four treatments (saline, n = 6; LPS, n = 6; LPS + NAC, n = 6; NAC, n = 3) on 5 consecutive days from 95 days of gestation (term approximately 147 days). Fetal arterial pressure and heart rate were recorded and blood samples collected. RESULTS: LPS administration resulted in fetal hypoxemia and hypotension; simultaneous treatment with NAC exacerbated these effects and induced polycythemia. NAC treatment alone had no effect on the fetus. CONCLUSION: In the presence of LPS, NAC compromises fetal physiological status, suggesting that it may not be a suitable antenatal treatment for a fetus with evidence of inflammation. Copyright 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.
BACKGROUND:Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) delivered acutely to the ovine fetus induces cerebral white matter injury and brain inflammation. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is potentially neuroprotective as it blocks the production of inflammatory cytokines and increases glutathione levels; however, it is unknown whether NAC affects the physiological status of the fetus already exposed to an inflammatory environment. OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to determine whether NAC influences the physiological effects of LPS exposure in the ovine fetus. METHODS: Catheterized fetal sheep underwent one of four treatments (saline, n = 6; LPS, n = 6; LPS + NAC, n = 6; NAC, n = 3) on 5 consecutive days from 95 days of gestation (term approximately 147 days). Fetal arterial pressure and heart rate were recorded and blood samples collected. RESULTS:LPS administration resulted in fetal hypoxemia and hypotension; simultaneous treatment with NAC exacerbated these effects and induced polycythemia. NAC treatment alone had no effect on the fetus. CONCLUSION: In the presence of LPS, NAC compromises fetal physiological status, suggesting that it may not be a suitable antenatal treatment for a fetus with evidence of inflammation. Copyright 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.
Authors: Nicola J Robertson; Sidhartha Tan; Floris Groenendaal; Frank van Bel; Sandra E Juul; Laura Bennet; Matthew Derrick; Stephen A Back; Raul Chavez Valdez; Frances Northington; Alistair Jan Gunn; Carina Mallard Journal: J Pediatr Date: 2012-02-09 Impact factor: 4.406
Authors: Dorothea D Jenkins; Donald B Wiest; Denise M Mulvihill; Anthony M Hlavacek; Sarah J Majstoravich; Truman R Brown; Joseph J Taylor; Jason R Buckley; Robert P Turner; Laura Grace Rollins; Jessica P Bentzley; Kathryn E Hope; Andrew B Barbour; Danielle W Lowe; Renee H Martin; Eugene Y Chang Journal: J Pediatr Date: 2015-11-03 Impact factor: 4.406