|
|
||||||||
AJP - Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology, Vol 251, Issue 2 218-R224, Copyright © 1986 by American Physiological Society
ARTICLES |
D. Massaro and G. D. Massaro
The gas exchange region of newborn rats is composed of large thick-walled gas exchange saccules that become subdivided by septum formation between ages 4 and 14 days. Dexamethasone given daily from age 4 to 13 days irreversibly prevents septation. We now asked if dexamethasone (0.1 micrograms) given daily from age 4 to 13 days accelerates alveolar wall thinning and alters wall composition. Compared with controls, within 2 days dexamethasone-treated pups had a 20% thinner gas exchange wall, a 35% lower volume density (Vv) and absolute volume of interstitial fibroblasts, and a 45% greater Vv of type II cells. At age 14 days the volumes of type I cells, fibroblasts, and acellular matrix were approximately 35% less in dexamethasone-treated pups, but the volumes of type II and endothelial cells did not exhibit significant intergroup differences. We conclude dexamethasone accelerates alveolar wall thinning and suggest dexamethasone diminishes replication of fibroblasts more rapidly than it diminishes division of type II, impairs conversion of type II to I, and does not decrease replication of endothelial cells.
This article has been cited by other articles:
![]() |
O. Boucherat, M.-L. Franco-Montoya, C. Thibault, R. Incitti, B. Chailley-Heu, C. Delacourt, and J. R. Bourbon Gene expression profiling in lung fibroblasts reveals new players in alveolarization Physiol Genomics, December 19, 2007; 32(1): 128 - 141. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
V. Besnard, S. E. Wert, K. H. Kaestner, and J. A. Whitsett Stage-specific regulation of respiratory epithelial cell differentiation by Foxa1 Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, November 1, 2005; 289(5): L750 - L759. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
J. Kovar, K. E. Willet, A. Hislop, and P. D. Sly Impact of postnatal glucocorticoids on early lung development J Appl Physiol, March 1, 2005; 98(3): 881 - 888. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
![]() |
D. Massaro and G. D. Massaro Critical period for alveologenesis and early determinants of adult pulmonary disease Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol, October 1, 2004; 287(4): L715 - L717. [Full Text] [PDF] |
||||
| HOME | HELP | FEEDBACK | SUBSCRIPTIONS | ARCHIVE | SEARCH | TABLE OF CONTENTS |
| Visit Other APS Journals Online |