title: Antenatal steroids and antioxidant enzyme activity in preterm infants: influence of gender and timing.
abstract: Antenatal steroids have improved the survival of preterm infants; however, the mechanism of action is not fully understood. We aimed to establish an association between antenatal steroids and antioxidant activity and postnatal oxidative stress. In a prospective cohort study, extremely preterm neonates receiving antenatal steroids (CORT) or not (NOCORT) were enrolled. An association between antenatal steroids and activities of antioxidant enzymes and glutathione cycle enzymes in cord blood was found. In addition, reduced oxidative stress (GSH/GSSG ratio, CORT vs. NOCORT, 35.68 + or - 12.20 vs. 28.38 + or - 9.92; p < 0.01) and, decreased oxidation of proteins (ortho-tyrosine/phenylalanine ratio, CORT vs. NOCORT, 8.66 + or - 2.45 vs. 12.55 + or - 4.41; p < 0.01) and DNA (8oxodG/2dG ratio, CORT vs. NOCORT, 6.73 + or - 2.18 vs. 9.53 + or - 3.83; p < 0.01) also was found. Antenatal steroids were associated with reduced oxygen supplementation, mechanical ventilation, and conditions such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, intra-periventricular hemorrhage, or retinopathy of prematurity. The maximal effectiveness was when steroids were administered 2-4 days before delivery. Female preterm infants had less oxidative stress and increased antioxidant activity and better clinical outcomes than did male infants, independent of receiving or not antenatal steroids. Antenatal steroids are accompanied by a reduction in postnatal oxidative-stress-derived conditions and increased antioxidant enzyme activity. Both these effects seem to be influenced by specific timing and female gender.
authors: Division of Neonatology, University Hospital La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
authors: Máximo
authors: M
authors: Vento
authors: Marta
authors: M
authors: Aguar
authors: Javier
authors: J
authors: Escobar
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Arduini
authors: Raquel
authors: R
authors: Escrig
authors: María
authors: M
authors: Brugada
authors: Isabel
authors: I
authors: Izquierdo
authors: Miguel Angel
authors: MA
authors: Asensi
authors: Juan
authors: J
authors: Sastre
authors: Pilar
authors: P
authors: Saenz
authors: Ana
authors: A
authors: Gimeno
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D002374:Catalase / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000975:Antioxidants; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase