Erythrocyte membrane AChE, Na(+), K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+) ATPase activities in mothers and their premature neonates in relation to the mode of delivery.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate erythrocyte membrane AChE, Na(+), K(+)-ATPase and Mg(2+)-ATPase activities in mothers and their full-term or premature newborns in relation to the mode of delivery.


METHODS
Blood was obtained from mothers pre- and post-delivery and the umbilical cord (CB) of their full-term newborns: Group A₁ (n = 16) born with vaginal delivery (VD), Group B₁ (n = 14) full-terms with scheduled cesarean section (CS), Group A₂ (n = 12) prematures with VD, Group B₂ (n = 14) prematures with CS. Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) and common laboratory tests were measured with routine methods, and the membrane enzyme activities spectrophotometrically.


RESULTS
TAS was reduced in mothers post VD and in the CB whereas remained unaltered in CS mothers and their newborns. AChE and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase were increased in mothers post VD. AChE was lower in the CB of prematures than that of full-terms independently of the mode of delivery. Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activity was increased in the groups of mothers post VD and decreased in prematures. The enzyme was higher in prematures with CS than that with VD. Mg(2+)-ATPase activity was unchanged.


CONCLUSIONS
The increased maternal AChE and Na(+), K(+)-ATPase activities may be due to the low TAS determined post VD, whereas their decreased activities in prematures to their immaturity.
Department of Physiology, Medical School, Athens University, Greece.
Dimitrios G
DG
Vlachos
Kleopatra H
KH
Schulpis
Aris
A
Antsaklis
Spyros
S
Mesogitis
Ioannis
I
Biliatis
Stylianos
S
Tsakiris
D000110:Acetylcholinesterase / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants; D017301:Ca(2+) Mg(2+)-ATPase / Q000378:metabolism*; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D004910:Erythrocyte Membrane / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood*; D009035:Mothers; D011247:Pregnancy; D047928:Premature Birth / Q000097:blood / Q000201:enzymology*; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism*; D047929:Term Birth; D055815:Young Adult
D000975:Antioxidants; D000110:Acetylcholinesterase; D017301:Ca(2+) Mg(2+)-ATPase; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase