Inhibitory Respiratory Responses to Progesterone and Allopregnanolone in Newborn Rats Chronically Treated with Caffeine
October 2015
in “
The Journal of Physiology
”
New to Caffeine? There is a guide in the encyclopedia. Read the guide → Studysummary This study found that in newborn rats treated with caffeine, progesterone increased apnoea frequency by inhibiting breathing, suggesting it may not be suitable for preterm neonates without addressing allopregnanolone's effects. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
The study investigated the effects of combining progesterone with caffeine treatment in newborn rats to address persistent apnoea, a common issue in preterm neonates. Contrary to expectations, the administration of progesterone in caffeine-treated rats inhibited breathing and increased apnoea frequency. This was attributed to the conversion of progesterone to allopregnanolone, which modulates GABAA receptors and enhances GABAergic inhibition. The study concluded that combining progesterone with chronic caffeine therapy is not advisable for treating persistent apnoea in preterm neonates unless the effects of allopregnanolone can be mitigated.
