title: Nonprotein-bound iron and plasma protein oxidative stress at birth.
abstract: We previously reported plasma nonprotein-bound iron (NPBI) as a reliable early indicator of intrauterine oxidative stress (OS) and brain injury. We tested the hypothesis that albumin, an NPBI serum carrier, is the major target of NPBI-induced OS. Twenty-four babies were randomly selected from 384 newborns constituting the final cohort of a prospective study undertaken to evaluate the predictive role of NPBI in cord blood for neurodevelopmental outcome. Twelve were selected in the group with lowest NPBI levels (0-1.16 microM) and good neurodevelopmental outcome and 12 in the group with highest NPBI levels (>or=15.2 microM) and poor neurodevelopmental outcome. Protein carbonyl groups were identified in cord blood samples by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2D-PAGE) and Western blotting with anti-2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP) antibodies. Two series of immunoreactive spots, corresponding to serum albumin and alpha-fetoprotein, were found only in the group with highest NPBI levels. We found an association between NPBI and carbonylated proteins in babies with highest NPBI levels. Since NPBI may produce hydroxyl radicals through the Fenton reaction, the major target of OS induced by NPBI is its carrier: albumin. Oxidation of albumin can be expected to decrease plasma antioxidant defenses and increase the likelihood of tissue damage due to OS in the newborns.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics, and Reproductive Medicine, University of Siena, Italy.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Marzocchi
authors.forename: Serafina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Perrone
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Paffetti
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Magi
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bini
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tani
authors.forename: Mariangela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Longini
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Buonocore
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D002534:Hypoxia, Brain / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007501:Iron / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011379:Prognosis; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D012709:Serum Albumin; D000509:alpha-Fetoproteins; D007501:Iron