Fifteen pregnant Wistar rats were randomized to receive betamethasone, dexamethasone or placebo at 20 and 21 days gestation. Newborn rats were supported for 8 h and then sacrificed: lung tissue was analysed for secretory phospholipase A2 expression and activity, inflammatory mediators and protein content. Lipidomics was analysed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Secretory phospholipase A2 expression was significantly reduced by antenatal steroids (p < 0.001). Secretory phospholipase A2 activity, TNFα and lysophosphatidylethanolamine, a product of phospholipase reaction, were lowest in betamethasone-treated rats (p < 0.001). There was a strong correlation between secretory phospholipase A2 activity and lysophosphatidylethanolamine (r = 0.75; p = 0.001) and this remained significant after adjustment for total proteins or phospholipids.
Antenatal steroids decrease secretory phospholipase A2 in rat model of preterm lung.