Oxidative stress in sudden infant death syndrome.
We investigated the hippocampus and parahippocampal cortex of victims of sudden infant death syndrome and of age-matched infants dying acutely of known causes (non-sudden infant death syndrome controls). Tissue sections were investigated for the presence of neurons expressing signs of elevated levels of free radical using immunohistochemical markers for superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. Brain tissues displayed immunopositive neurons in every infant. In control infants, an age-related decline in the number of superoxide dismutase- and glutathione peroxidase-immunoreactive neurons was apparent in the hippocampus and parahippocampal cortex. Significantly increased numbers of immunoreactive neurons were found in victims of sudden infant death syndrome under 6 months of age compared to age-matched controls. This suggests that infants who later become victims of sudden infant death syndrome may experience antemortem periods of oxidative stress, elevated levels of free radicals, and compensatory up-regulation of the free radical scavenger enzymes superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase.
Huggle
S
S
Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington 40536-0230, USA.
Hunsaker
J C
JC
Coyne
C M
CM
Sparks
D L
DL
D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D005609:Free Radicals; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009474:Neurons / Q000473:pathology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism*; D012016:Reference Values; D013398:Sudden Infant Death / Q000473:pathology*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism
D005609:Free Radicals; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase