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In utero administration of GABA promotes fetal lung development
Author(s) -
Chintagari Narendranath Reddy,
Wang Yang,
Xi Dong,
Liu Lin
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.798.2
Subject(s) - fetus , lung , endocrinology , bicuculline , medicine , gaba receptor , in utero , receptor , gabaa receptor , pregnancy , biology , genetics
Fetal lung secretes chloride‐rich fluid during glandular stages of development. The fluid accumulation is critical for lung distension and normal development. The multisubunit γ‐amino butyric acid receptors (GABAR) mainly act by mediating chloride ion fluxes. Our previous studies revealed the differential expression of several GABAR subunits in fetal lung epithelial cells. We therefore investigated the role of GABAR in fetal lung development in vivo . Timed‐pregnant rats of 18 day gestation underwent an in utero surgery for administration of GABAR modulators into the fetuses. The fetuses were isolated on day 21 and analyzed for changes in fetal lung development. Fetuses injected with GABA (500 μM) had a significantly higher body weight (4732.36 ± 90.80 mg) and lung weight (160.54 ± 4.02 mg) when compared to those of saline (control) injected fetuses (4441.83 ± 81.93 mg and 131.58 ± 4.57 mg). The increase in fetal lung weight was effectively blocked by GABA‐A receptor antagonist, bicuculline. GABA‐injected fetal lungs had 30% higher number of saccules when compared to the control. Bicuculline blocked the increase in saccule number. In conclusion, our results indicate that GABA receptors accelerate fetal lung development.