CPAP PROTECTS AGAINST HYPEROXIA-INDUCED INCREASE IN AIRWAY REACTIVITY IN NEONATAL MICE

BACKGROUND: Oxygen and continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) are primary modes of respiratory support for preterm infants. Animal models, however, have demonstrated adverse unintended effects of hyperoxia and CPAP on lung development. We investigate the effects of combined neonatal hyperoxia and CPAP exposure on airway function and morphology in mice. METHODS: Newborn mice were exposed to hyperoxia (40% O(2)) 24hrs/day for 7 consecutive days with or without daily (3hrs/day) concomitant CPAP. Two weeks after CPAP and/or hyperoxia treatment ended, lungs were assessed for airway (AW) hyperreactivity and morphology. RESULTS: CPAP and hyperoxia exposure alone increased airway reactivity compared to untreated control mice. CPAP-induced airway hyperreactivity was associated with epithelial and smooth muscle proliferation. In contrast, combined CPAP and hyperoxia treatment no longer resulted in increased airway reactivity, which was associated with normalization of smooth muscle and epithelial proliferation to values similar to untreated mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggests the combination of CPAP and hyperoxia decreases the adverse consequences on airway remodeling of either intervention alone. The complex interaction between mechanical stretch (via CPAP) and hyperoxia exposure on development of immature airways has implications for the pathophysiology of airway disease in former preterm infants receiving non-invasive respiratory support.