SURFACTANT TA (FUJIWARA) AND DRY SURFACTANT (MORLEY): EFFECTSON LUNG MECHANICS AND ALVEOLAR SIZE DISTRIBUTION IN PREMATURE RABBITS

Abstract

We compared the efficacy of surfactant TA (Fujiwara) and the dry DPL+PG surfactant (DS, Morley) on pulmonary compliance (Cl), P-V curves and alveolar size distribution by texture analyzing systems (Leitz) in 4 groups of rabbits; 21 received 800 μg of TA suspended in saline (Gr.TA), 15 received DS surfactant (Gr.DS), 16 were premature controls (Gr.PC). All three groups were preterm delivered at 27 days gestation. Fourth group was mature controls (Gr.MC n=26). (Table: Mean ± S.E., ^*p <0.001).

Premature controls had low volumes at P5 and P30 as compared to matures. Lung volumes reached mature levels in Gr.TA; in Gr.DS, improvement was less than in Gr.TA. Alveolar size distribution in Gr.TA was identical to mature controls, but marked non-homogeneous distribution of alveolar size was noted in Gr.DS. P-V curves and compliance differences were: Gr.TA showing mature pattern superior to Gr.DS. These results suggest that saline suspended S-TA improves pulmonary mechanics and alveolar histology to mature patterns to a greater extent than the dry surfactant of Morley et.al. (Abbr. in Table: P5 and P30=Pressure at 5 and 30 cm. H₂O).

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