Intratracheal albumin reduces interleukin-8 in tracheobronchial aspirates in piglets after meconium aspiration

Meconium aspiration induces pulmonary inflammation and reduces surfactant function. We hypothesized that albumin mixed with meconium attenuates pulmonary inflammation and improves surfactant function after meconium aspiration. We measured the concentration of free fatty acids (FFA) in the meconium (110 mg dry weight/mL) and added albumin to provide a molar FFA:albumin ratio of 1:1. Newborn piglets, 0-2 day of age, artificially ventilated and exposed to hypoxemia by ventilation with 8% O-2, were randomized to group A receiving meconium (n=12), or group B receiving meconium+albumin (n=12), 3 ml/kg intratracheally. The animals were reoxygenated for 8 h. Reoxygenation was started when mean arterial blood pressure was <20 mm Hg or base excess was < -20 mmol/L. During 8 h of reoxygenation the interleukin-8 concentrations in tracheobronchial aspirates increased 5-fold more in the meconium vs. the meconium +albumin groups (93+56 vs. 18+/-4 pg/mL, p<0.005). There were no differences between the groups for tumor necrosis factor α in tracheobronchial aspirates, recruitment of inflammatory cells in the airspaces or surfactant function in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. In conclusion, albumin significantly decreased interleukin-8 concentrations in tracheobronchial aspirates after meconium aspiration.