SYS Feng, VYH Yu, AM Walker

Abstract

Endotoxin induces complex changes in the newborn cerebral circulation, including vasoconstriction by down-regulating endothelial nitric oxide synthase and stimulating the production of endothelin and cyclooxygenase-2 derived vasoconstrictors including thromboxane A₂, while also promoting vasodilatation by increasing the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 derived vasodilators. Together, these changes represent a complex dysregulation of the newborn cerebral circulation. This review considers the effects of neonatal endotoxaemia on cerebral circulatory changes and endothelium-derived factors, and their implications for cerebral circulatory control.