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Research Article Volume 16 Issue 1
Surfactant therapy reduces pulmonary IL-8 in experimental meconium aspiration
João Cesar Lyra, Derek Silva Moreira, Cilmery Suemi Kurokawa, Maria Regina Bentlin, Saskia Maria Wiegerinck Fekete, Ligia Maria Suppo de Souza Rugolo
Received: January 26, 2026 | Published: February 9, 2026
Citation: Lyra JC, Moreira DS, Kurokawa CS, et al. Surfactant therapy reduces pulmonary IL-8 in experimental meconium aspiration. J Pediatr Neonatal Care. 2026;16(1):14-18. DOI: 10.15406/jpnc.2026.16.00612
Abstract
Background: Interleukin-8 (IL-8) production, as part of the inflammatory response, plays an important role in lung injury associated with meconium aspiration syndrome (MAS). Although surfactant therapy improves pulmonary function, its effects on pulmonary inflammation remain controversial. Objective: To evaluate the effect of surfactant (beractant) administration on IL-8 levels in a neonatal rabbit model of MAS. Methods: Anesthetized newborn rabbits underwent tracheotomy, received intratracheal human meconium (6 mL/kg; 65 mg/mL), and were mechanically ventilated using a pneumotachograph-ventilator system. After 5 minutes of ventilation, animals were randomly assigned to three groups: untreated MAS (MEC), MAS treated with bovine surfactant (SURF; 100 mg/kg), and control. After 25 minutes of ventilation, animals were euthanized, and lung tissue was harvested for analysis. IL-8 concentrations were determined in lung tissue homogenates using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA; UCNLIFE). Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOV A, with significance set at P < 0.05. Results: Twenty-five newborn rabbits were studied (MEC, n = 10; SURF, n = 8; control, n = 7). No significant differences were observed among groups regarding body weight or tidal volume during ventilation. IL-8 concentrations (pg/mL.kg) in lung homogenates were significantly lower in the SURF group compared with the MEC group and were comparable to control values: 386.3 ± 102.2* (SURF), 712.9 ± 379.8 (MEC), and 355.8 ± 129.7 (control); *P = 0.006 for SURF vs. MEC. Conclusion: In this experimental model of MAS, surfactant replacement therapy attenuated pulmonary inflammation, as evidenced by reduced IL-8 levels in lung tissue.
Keywords: newborn, interleukin, meconium aspiration
©2026 Lyra, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and build upon your work non-commercially.