Acute postnatal increase of extracellular antioxidant defence of neonates: the role of iron metabolism.
In this study we investigated the extracellular antioxidant capacity of neonates during the first two postnatal days and its association with iron metabolism. Cord blood and blood samples at 47+/-6 postnatal hours were taken from 10 healthy neonates and their antioxidant capacity was determined using Randox Antioxidant kits and the heme-specific antioxidant activity (HSAA). Randox indicates the chain-breaking antioxidant capacity; HSAA corresponds to the ability to limit lipid peroxidation. Iron, ferritin and transferrin levels were also measured. Randox and HSAA values were 30% higher, ferritin was 100% higher and iron was 60% lower postnatally. The amount of change in HSAA values correlated with the change in ferritin level (r= 0.67, p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that extracellular antioxidant capacity (both chain-breaking and heme-specific antioxidant activities) increases shortly after birth. Lower iron and higher ferritin levels could also be responsible for this phenomenon.
Szabó
M
M
First Department of Pediatrics, Joint Research Program of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest. szabmik@gyer1.sote.hu
Vásárhelyi
B
B
Balla
G
G
Szabó
T
T
Machay
T
T
Tulassay
T
T
D000367:Age Factors; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001790:Blood Physiological Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*
D000975:Antioxidants; D007501:Iron