Anti-oxidant strategies.
Oxidative stress plays an important role in causing organ injury in the compromised fetus and neonate. Recent experimental research and clinical studies have clarified important pathways in the production of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species. Free radicals are involved in causing cerebral damage after perinatal hypoxia-ischemia affecting membrane lipids, proteins, and DNA. Anti-oxidant strategies can be used as add-on neuroprotective therapy after perinatal oxidative stress. Selective inhibitors of neuronal and inducible nitric oxide synthase, allopurinol, melatonin, and erythropoietin are among the first compounds that are ready for clinical trials.
Buonocore
Giuseppe
G
Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University of Siena, viale Bracci 36, Siena, Italy. buonocore@unisi.it
Groenendaal
Floris
F
D000493:Allopurinol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004921:Erythropoietin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005609:Free Radicals / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D026361:Reactive Nitrogen Species / Q000096:biosynthesis; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism
D000975:Antioxidants; D005609:Free Radicals; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D026361:Reactive Nitrogen Species; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D004921:Erythropoietin; D000493:Allopurinol; D019001:Nitric Oxide Synthase