Fluidity and oxidative stress in erythrocytes from very low birth weight infants during their first 7 days of life.
OBJECTIVE
To study the evolution of lipid peroxidation, enzymatic antioxidants response, lipid profile and membrane fluidity in erythrocytes from very low birth weight (VLBW) infants during their first 7 days of extra-uterine life.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty infants were selected and divided in two groups according to their weight and gestational age. Hydroperoxides, fatty-acid profile, fluidity (DPH and TMA-DPH) and catalase, SOD and GPx activities were measured in erythrocytes.


RESULTS
VLBW group showed higher concentration of hydroperoxides and lower membrane fluidity during the first 72 h, lower SOD activity during the first 3 h and higher GPx activity during the first 7 days of life. Also, this group showed lower n-3 polyunsaturated fatty-acids percentage with respect to the term group.


CONCLUSIONS
Erythrocytes from VLBW infants showed higher oxidative damage and lower fluidity in their membranes, at least during the first 3 days of extra-uterine life, which may cause alterations in their functions and flexibility.
Ochoa
Julio J
JJ
Institute of Nutrition and Food Technology, Department of Physiology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain. jjoh@ugr.es
Contreras-Chova
Francisco
F
Muñoz
Sergio
S
Araujo-Nepomuceno
Eduardo
E
Bonillo
Antonio
A
Molina-Carballo
Antonio
A
Muñoz-Hoyos
Antonio
A
D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000032:analysis; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008560:Membrane Fluidity; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000032:analysis
D005227:Fatty Acids; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; D010088:Oxidoreductases