Nitrotyrosine in human neonatal spinal cord after perinatal asphyxia.
BACKGROUND
Spinal cord injury has been reported after perinatal asphyxia in full-term neonates.


OBJECTIVE
To examine the role of excessive nitric oxide production in perinatal spinal cord injury.


METHODS
Tissue samples of 18 full-term neonates who died of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy were analyzed for the presence of nitrotyrosine (NT).


RESULTS
NT was demonstrated in 5 of these 18 neonates. In addition, activated caspase 3, a marker of apoptosis, and CD68, as a marker of inflammation, could be demonstrated in some infants.


CONCLUSIONS
excessive nitric oxide production and subsequent NT formation is seen in spinal cord tissue after severe perinatal asphyxia. This finding may be relevant for the development of neuroprotective strategies.
Groenendaal
Floris
F
Department of Neonatology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands. F.Groenendaal@umcutrecht.nl
Vles
Johannes
J
Lammers
Harry
H
De Vente
Jan
J
Smit
Diane
D
Nikkels
Peter G J
PG
D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic / Q000378:metabolism; D017209:Apoptosis; D001238:Asphyxia Neonatorum / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D001344:Autopsy; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020925:Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007249:Inflammation; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014443:Tyrosine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D000097382:CD68 Molecule
D015703:Antigens, CD; D015214:Antigens, Differentiation, Myelomonocytic; D053148:Caspase 3; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D014443:Tyrosine; C067980:CD68 antigen, human; D000097382:CD68 Molecule; C002744:3-nitrotyrosine