LISA: Surfactant administration in spontaneous breathing. Which evidence from the literature?

Recent human and animal studies demonstrated that surfactant can be delivered intratracheally without traditional intubation and bagging, but using a fine catheter inserted into the trachea of spontaneously breathing preterm infants on CPAP. This strategy, known as LISA (less invasive surfactant administration) or MIST (minimal invasive surfactant therapy), seems to reduce failure of non-invasive respiratory approach. Avoiding mechanical ventilation and manual inflation it is possible to reduce lung injury due to baro-volutrauma. Moreover leaving the infants supported by N-CPAP during the maneuver, it is possible to reduce the risk of lung derecruitment. Further studies are needed to confirm the promising effects due to this strategy to deliver surfactant.

Enhancement of nitric oxide synthesis by L-arginine supplementation in renal disease: is it good or bad?

L-Arginine is a important component of our diet characterized by multiple physiological and pharmacological actions. In the last decade, this amino acid has attracted major interest since it has been identified as the natural substrate of nitric oxide, and is now recognized to play a major role in the regulation of vascular tone. This review, while summarizing the knowledge of the renal actions of the L-arginine/nitric oxide pathway in health and renal disease, focuses on the potential therapeutic implications of the increase in nitric oxide synthesis attained by L-arginine supplementation.