title: Plasma 8-isoprostane is increased in preterm infants who develop bronchopulmonary dysplasia or periventricular leukomalacia.
abstract: Our aim was to assess the plasma free 8-epi-prostaglandin F(2alpha) (8-isoprostane) and ascorbyl radical as risk indicators for oxidative damage in extremely low birth weight infants (ELBWIs) and the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on these markers. Plasma samples were collected on days 3 and 7 of life from infants who were enrolled in a randomized, controlled trial in which i.v. NAC or placebo was administered to ELBWIs during the first week of life, with the aim of preventing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD). Plasma 8-isoprostane was analyzed in 83 infants using an enzyme immunoassay kit. Ascorbyl radical concentration was measured in 61 infants with electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The 8-isoprostane concentrations were similar in the NAC and placebo groups. In infants who later developed BPD or died (n = 29), the median (range) 8-isoprostane concentration was significantly higher (p = 0.001) on day 3 and day 7 [50.0 pg/mL (19-360) and 57.0 pg/mL (14-460), respectively] than in survivors without BPD [n = 54; 34.5 pg/mL (5-240) and 39.5 pg/mL (7-400), respectively]. The 8-isoprostane levels increased significantly more (p < 0.05) in infants who later developed periventricular leukomalacia. NAC treatment or the later development of BPD was not related to the ascorbyl radical levels. The ascorbyl radical level decreased significantly in all groups from day 3 to day 7, but the difference between the groups was not significant. The mean (SD) ascorbyl radical level on day 3 was significantly higher (p < 0.01) in infants who later developed periventricular leukomalacia [287 (124) versus 194 (90)]. These data suggest that plasma 8-isoprostane could serve as a marker in assessing the risk for BPD development in ELBWIs.
authors.affiliation: Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Helsinki University Central Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. terhi.ahola@helsinki.fi
authors.forename: Terhi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ahola
authors.forename: Vineta
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fellman
authors.forename: Ingemar
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kjellmer
authors.forename: Kari O
authors.initials: KO
authors.lastname: Raivio
authors.forename: Risto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lapatto
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D003683:Dehydroascorbic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000378:metabolism*; D007969:Leukomalacia, Periventricular / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; C075750:8-epi-prostaglandin F2alpha; C000820:semidehydroascorbic acid; D015237:Dinoprost; D003683:Dehydroascorbic Acid