| Ciclesonide shows a lung-protective effect in neonatal
hyperoxia-exposed rats |
Victoria Mielgo1 
, Miguel A Gomez-Solaetxe2
, Lara Olazar3, Begoña Loureiro3
, Carmen Rey-Santano1
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1Animal Research Unit, BioBizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain
2Medical Devices Group, University of the Basque Country (EHU), Portugalete, Spain
3Perinatal Medicine Group, BioBizkaia Health Research Institute, Barakaldo, Spain |
Correspondence:
Carmen Rey-Santano, Email: mariacarmen.reysantano@osakidetza.eus
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Received: 23 May 2025 • Revised: 8 July 2025 • Accepted: 24 July 2025 |
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| Abstract |
Background
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), a
chronic lung disease primarily observed in premature
infants, is attributed to a lung injury–repair imbalance.
Studies of postnatal corticosteroids have failed to identify
clear candidates to help alleviate high BPD rates without
risks or adverse effects.
Purpose
This study aimed to assess whether the systemic
postnatal administration of an alternative glucocorticoid,
ciclesonide, could attenuate alterations in lung
structure and right ventricular hypertrophy in a hyperoxic
rat BPD-like model.
Methods
In a hyperoxia-induced model of BPD-like
lung injury, pups were maintained in oxygen-enriched
atmosphere-hyperoxia or normoxia (room air) for 14 days
after natural birth, and subcutaneous ciclesonide (0.5
mg/kg) was administered postnatally for 5 consecutive
days. On postnatal day 14, lung function (peak inspiratory
pressure and compliance), lung structure (radial alveolar
count, mean linear intercept, and pulmonary vessel
density), and right ventricular hypertrophy were assessed.
Results
On day 14, the effects of hyperoxia exposure were
more evident in untreated rats (impaired lung compliance
and structure and right ventricular hypertrophy) than in
normoxia-exposed animals. Ciclesonide administration
was associated with smaller body weight changes and
significantly improved lung compliance, alveolarization,
lung vascular growth, and right ventricular hypertrophy.
Conclusion
Postnatal ciclesonide administration preserved
lung function and structure and prevented right
ventricular hypertrophy in a hyperoxic BPD-like model.
These findings suggest that postnatal ciclesonide may be
an alternative to existing corticosteroids for the treatment
of BPD. However, long-term studies are required to
validate these findings. |
| Key Words:
Ciclesonide, Bronchopulmonary dysplasia,
Hyperoxia |
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