Effect of misoprostol treatment on oleic acid-induced ARDS in rats

Abstract

Adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a clinical condition associated with high mortality. Prostaglandins are involved in the pathophysiology of ARDS but the results of earlier studies are not conclusive. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the role of misoprostol (Prostaglandin E1 agonist) in oleic acid (OA)-induced ARDS in rats. Anaesthetized animals were divided in to three groups. In group I (control group), rats were treated with saline. In group II (OA only group), OA was injected to induce ARDS. In group III (OA + M group), misoprostol was administered after OA injection and the dose was repeated after every 20 min. In all groups respiratory frequency (RF), pulmonary water content, mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate (HR), P/F ratio, and survival time were determined. OA produced ARDS as indicated by ventilatory changes, decreased P/F ratio, pulmonary edema, and death within 90 min. Severe changes in heart rate and mean arterial pressure were also observed. Misoprostol post-treatment prevented pulmonary edema and initial tachypnea and also improved P/F ratio in OA-induced ARDS but overall survival time was not altered. The MAP changes were reversed initially but not the heart rate changes. The results indicate that misoprostol post treatment ameliorates the OA-induced ARDS in the initial phase but can not prevent the lethality. © 2010 RJPBCS.