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Induction of fetal pulmonary maturity with Ambroxol: side effects and therapeutic effectiveness

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The Surfactant System of the Lung

Abstract

In the last ten years the prevention of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) has been performed using drugs able to enhance fetal lung maturity and particularly surfactant synthesis by type II pneumocytes. Among the substances that have been employed, Ambroxol, given in high doses, allowed positive results to be obtained in both animals [1,2] and humans [3–7]. In humans Ambroxol, a hydroxylated derivative of Bromhexine, originally used as a mucolytic drug, has showed the ability to modify type II pneumocyte ultrastructure [8,9] and to increase the alveolar surfactant secretion.

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© 1991 Macmillan Publishers Limited

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Revelli, A., Oliveri, M.G., Molina, G., Parolini, P., Mascher, M., Massobrio, M. (1991). Induction of fetal pulmonary maturity with Ambroxol: side effects and therapeutic effectiveness. In: Cosmi, E.V., Di Renzo, G.C., Anceschi, M.M. (eds) The Surfactant System of the Lung. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-12553-1_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-12553-1_12

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-349-12555-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-349-12553-1

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