Lower erythrocyte glutathione peroxidase activity in bronchopulmonary dysplasia in the first week of neonatal life.
BACKGROUND
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a major pulmonary complication in premature infants and is considered a free radical disorder. Erythrocyte catalase (CAT) and cellular glutathione peroxidase (c-GPx) are antioxidant enzymes that detoxify peroxides generated from dismutation of superoxide anion. The study goal was to measure enzyme activity for preterm infants during the first week of life.


METHODS
Blood samples were collected from umbilical arterial lines or the radial artery of 44 preterm infants (gestational age range: 25-30 weeks) on days 0, 2, and 5 after delivery. Erythrocyte CAT and c-GPx activities were evaluated, while clinical data were obtained and the correlations of enzyme activity and BPD status were examined.


RESULTS
There was no correlation between enzyme activity and gestational age or birth weight. Packed red cell transfusion did not affect enzyme activity and there was no difference in CAT activity between the patient groups. C-GPx activity from preterm infants with BPD was significantly lower than those of preterm infants without BPD on day 5.


CONCLUSIONS
Erythrocyte c-GPx may play an important role in the development of BPD. Lower c-GPx activity in early post-natal life might be a risk factor of BPD.
Graduate Institute of Clinical Medical Sciences, Chang Gung Children's Hospital and School of Medicine, Chang GungUniversity, Taoyuan , Taiwan.
Ren-Huei
RH
Fu
Tsung-Hong
TH
Chiu
Ming-Chou
MC
Chiang
Reyin
R
Lien
Yi-Hung
YH
Chou
Chiao-Ching
CC
Chiang
Yu-Hsueh
YH
Cho
Peng-Hong
PH
Yang
D001724:Birth Weight; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000473:pathology; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000201:enzymology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood*
D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase