Erythropoietin is neuroprotective in a preterm ovine model of endotoxin-induced brain injury

Abstract

Intrauterine infection and inflammation have been linked to preterm birth and brain damage. We hypothesized that recombinant human erythropoietin (rhEPO) would ameliorate brain damage in anovine model of fetal inflammation. At 107 ± 1 day of gestational age (DGA), chronically catheterized fetal sheep received on 3 consecutive days 1) an intravenous bolus dose of lipopolysaccharide ([LPS] ∼0.9 μg/kg; n = 8); 2) an intravenous bolus dose of LPS, followed at 1 hour by 5,000 IU/kg of rhEPO (LPS + rhEPO, n = 8); or 3) rhEPO (n = 5). Untreated fetuses (n = 8) served as controls. Fetal physiological parameters were monitored, and fetal brains and optic nerves were histologically examined at 116 ± 1..