%0 Journal Article %T The effect of a peptide-containing synthetic lung surfactant on gas exchange and lung mechanics in a rabbit model of surfactant depletion %A van Zyl JM %A Smith J %A Hawtrey A %J Drug Design, Development and Therapy %D 2013 %I Dove Medical Press %R http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/DDDT.S40622 %X t of a peptide-containing synthetic lung surfactant on gas exchange and lung mechanics in a rabbit model of surfactant depletion Original Research (563) Total Article Views Authors: van Zyl JM, Smith J, Hawtrey A Published Date March 2013 Volume 2013:7 Pages 139 - 148 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/DDDT.S40622 Received: 22 November 2012 Accepted: 03 January 2013 Published: 11 March 2013 Johann M van Zyl,1 Johan Smith,2 Arthur Hawtrey1 1Division of Pharmacology, 2Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa Background: Currently, a new generation of synthetic pulmonary surfactants is being developed that may eventually replace animal-derived surfactants used in the treatment of respiratory distress syndrome. Enlightened by this, we prepared a synthetic peptide-containing surfactant (Synsurf) consisting of phospholipids and poly-L-lysine electrostatically bonded to poly-L-glutamic acid. Our objective in this study was to investigate if bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL)-induced acute lung injury and surfactant deficiency with accompanying hypoxemia and increased alveolar and physiological dead space is restored to its prelavage condition by surfactant replacement with Synsurf, a generic prepared Exosurf, and a generic Exosurf containing Ca2+. Methods: Twelve adult New Zealand white rabbits receiving conventional mechanical ventilation underwent repeated BAL to create acute lung injury and surfactant-deficient lung disease. Synthetic surfactants were then administered and their effects assessed at specified time points over 5 hours. The variables assessed before and after lavage and surfactant treatment included alveolar and physiological dead space, dead space/tidal volume ratio, arterial end-tidal carbon dioxide tension (PCO2) difference (mainstream capnography), arterial blood gas analysis, calculated shunt, and oxygen ratios. Results: BAL led to acute lung injury characterized by an increasing arterial PCO2 and a simultaneous increase of alveolar and physiological dead space/tidal volume ratio with no intergroup differences. Arterial end-tidal PCO2 and dead space/tidal volume ratio correlated in the Synsurf, generic Exosurf and generic Exosurf containing Ca2+ groups. A significant and sustained improvement in systemic oxygenation occurred from time point 180 minutes onward in animals treated with Synsurf compared to the other two groups (P < 0.001). A statistically significant decrease in pulmonary shunt (P < 0.001) was found for the Synsurf-treated group of animals, as well as radiographic improvement in three out of four animals in that group. Conclusion: In general, surfactant-replacement therapy in the animals did not fully restore the lung to its prelavage condition. However, our data show that the formulated surfactant Synsurf improves oxygenation by lowering pulmonary shunt. %K pulmonary surfactant %K synthetic peptides %K respiratory dead space %K capnometry %K pulmonary gas exchange %K oxygenation %U https://www.dovepress.com/the-effect-of-a-peptide-containing-synthetic-lung-surfactant-on-gas-ex-peer-reviewed-article-DDDT