Early versus late caffeine and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) for prevention of intermittent hypoxia-induced neuroinflammation in the neonatal rat.

Preterm infants often experience frequent intermittent hypoxia (IH) episodes which are associated with neuroinflammation. We tested the hypotheses that early caffeine and/or non-steroidal inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) confer superior therapeutic benefits for protection against IH-induced neuroinflammation than late treatment. Newborn rats were exposed to IH or hyperoxia (50% O2) from birth (P0) to P14. For early treatment, the pups were administered: 1) daily caffeine (Caff) citrate (Cafcit, 20 mg/kg IP loading on P0, followed by 5 mg/kg from P1-P14); 2) ketorolac (Keto) topical ocular solution in both eyes from P0 to P14; 3) ibuprofen (Ibu, Neoprofen, 10 mg/kg loading dose on P0 followed by 5 mg/kg/day on P1 and P2); 4) Caff+Keto co-treatment; 5) Caff+Ibu co-treatment; or 6) equivalent volume saline (Sal). On P14, animals were placed in room air (RA) with no further treatment until P21. For late treatment, pups were exposed from P0 to P14, then placed in RA during which they received similar treatments from P15-P21 (Sal, Caff, and/or Keto), or P15-P17 (Ibu). RA controls were similarly treated. At P21, whole brains were assessed for histopathology, apoptosis, myelination, and biomarkers of inflammation. IH caused significant brain injury and hemorrhage, inflammation, reduced myelination, and apoptosis. Early treatment with Caff alone or in combination with NSAIDs conferred better neuroprotection against IH-induced damage than late treatment. Early postnatal treatment during a critical time of brain development, may be preferable for the prevention of IH-induced brain injury in preterm infants.