Effects of Maternal Protein Restriction on the Pulmonary Surfactant System during the Early Life and Adulthood
Abstract
Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is defined by low birth weight and contributes to a variety of adult-onset diseases with different severities between males and females. However, the effects of FGR on the pulmonary surfactant are not fully elucidated. In this thesis, first, we investigated the FGR effects on the lung function and the surfactant system at the early postnatal life. It was hypothesized that FGR contributes to alterations of lung mechanics and the surfactant system during the neonatal period. Second, we assessed the FGR effects on the surfactant system in response to sepsis in adulthood. It was hypothesized that FGR contributes to the alteration of the surfactant system in response to sepsis in adulthood. Overall, the data suggest that FGR induced by maternal protein restriction affects lung compliance at the early life and predisposes the septic adults to the development of surfactant alterations in a sex-specific manner.