1650 THE EFFECT OF BETAMETHASONE (B) AND THYROTROPIN RE- LEASING HORMONE (T) ON LUNG (L) ANTI-OXIDANT ENZYME LEVElS IN THE FETAL (F) RABBIT

Abstract

In the adult, administration of exogenous thyroxine or corticosteriods is associated with enhanced development of L oxygen toxicity. To determine if pharmacologic acceleration of F L maturation influences the L anti-oxidant enzyme levels, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GP) were measured in F rabbit pups at 28 days gestation following 48 hour maternal treatment with saline (S), B (0.1-0.2 mg/kg/day) or T (40 ug/kg/day). In the B and T groups, mean F body weight and lung weights were significantly lower compared to the S group; the mean F lung weight/body weight were similar in all three groups. Mean (± SEM) L DNA (ug/gram lung) and SOD, CAT and GP (units/mg DNA) are shown below. SOD was significantly decreased in B and T groups. L CAT and GP were similar in S and B groups but significantly decreased in T group. Conclusion: 1) Exposure of the F rabbit to B from 26 to 28 days gestation decreases L SOD levels. 2) Exposure of the F rabbit to T from 26 to 28 days gestation results in decreased L SOD, CAT and GP levels.

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