Antioxidant role of plasma carotenoids in bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE
Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and consequently, it might be theorized that sufficient antioxidant defenses are needed to prevent BPD. We hypothesized that, except for vitamins E and A, carotenoids may be important in this defense. Carotenoids are present in human milk; however, they are not added to parenteral nutrition, the main food source of preterm infants in the first week of life.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate prospectively the role of carotenoids in BPD in a cohort of preterm infants.


METHODS
The plasma concentrations of F(2alpha)-isoprostane, alpha- and beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, vitamin A, and the vitamin E/cholesterol ratio were studied at days 1, 3, and 7 in a cohort of 109 preterm infants, of whom 19 had BPD.


RESULTS
When comparing the BPD and control group, infants in the BPD group were younger (p<0.001) and beta-carotene (day 7, p<0.01) and vitamin A concentrations were lower (days 3 and 7, p<0.001). Lycopene, lutein, alpha-carotene, vitamin E, and F(2alpha)-isoprostane concentrations did not differ between groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Plasma beta-carotene and vitamin A concentrations are lower in BPD infants which may result in a reduction of their antioxidant protection.
Princess Amalia Department of Pediatrics Division of Neonatology, The Netherlands.
Annelies
A
Vogelsang
Richard A
RA
van Lingen
Janine
J
Slootstra
Bert D
BD
Dikkeschei
Boudewijn J
BJ
Kollen
Anne
A
Schaafsma
Diny
D
van Zoeren-Grobben
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D001997:Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia / Q000097:blood*; D002338:Carotenoids / Q000097:blood*; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014801:Vitamin A / Q000097:blood; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D014801:Vitamin A; D002338:Carotenoids; D002784:Cholesterol; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol