Insufficient surfactant is frequently a clinical problem in infants born prior to term. Oxygen therapy is the life-saving strategy used but this therapy increases the oxidant burden. This increase in oxidant burden results in permanent lung injury. Our studies have focused on the antioxidants present in the epithelial lining fluid of term infants but diminished in preterm infants. Other studies have focused on developing sensitive methods for determination of reduced and oxidized antioxidants in samples from different pathological states associated with pulmonary oxidative injury.
Nitric oxide is a gaseous molecule that is an important modulator of signal transduction.
However, excess nitric oxide production is associated with several disease states. These studies have focused on the role of nitric oxide production or nitric oxide therapy in altering the response of the alveolar type II cell to oxidative injury. Effects of exogenous nitric oxide on neutrophil oxidative function and viability. Brown, L.A.S., F.L. Harris and D.P. Jones. Ascorbate deficiency and oxidative stress in the alveolar type II cell.