Inhaled vitamin A mitigates hyperoxia-induced acute and chronic lung damage in a neonatal rat model of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Inhaled vitamin A effectively suppressed hyperoxia-induced lung damage, with lung morphometrics indistinguishable from healthy controls at both PD 7 and 21. Aerosolized vitamin A also suppressed biomarkers associated with lung damage and inflammation, hallmarks of BPD, while enhancing the natural reparative processes, including normal alveolarization and pulmonary function at PD 21. Despite raising hepatic vitamin A tissue levels, enteral dosing was ineffective in restoring alveolar morphology at PD 7.

By contrast, IM dosing, previously reported as having a modest effect at PD 7, shows little evidence of benefit to pulmonary function at PD 21. Observation of dose-dependent effects with aerosolized vitamin A further strengthens the evidence of benefits of lung-targeted delivery via inhalation, supporting further development of inhaled vitamin A as a BPD preventive strategy.