Mitochondrial Antioxidants in Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of Newborn

Project Description Narrative:

The focus of this project is persistent pulmonary hypertension of newborn (PPHN), a disease that affects full-term and otherwise normally developed newborn infant. The affected infants suffer from periods of hypoxemia and metabolic acidosis and require intensive care support with the use of high oxygen concentrations, ventilator support, and use of sedatives. Current studies estimate that babies who survive PPHN have a 26% risk of developing neuro-developmental impairments in the long-term. Improving therapy of the affected infants and minimizing periods of cardio-pulmonary instability can, therefore, have a major impact on the long-term outcome for these babies.

Preliminary studies done in the researchers’ lab identified that pulmonary arteries in PPHN develop a vascular dysfunction from defects in the mitochondrial energy production and accumulation of mitochondrial superoxide. This project will investigate the mechanism of mitochondrial oxidative stress in PPHN and the potential efficacy of mitochondrial targeted antioxidants in decreasing this oxidative stress.

This translational investigation has a high potential to lead to clinical trials of the antioxidant strategy in PPHN and eventually to improve the outcome for these babies.