title: Oral L-arginine supplementation and faecal calprotectin levels in very low birth weight neonates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study is to determine the potential effect of oral L-arginine supplementation on intestinal inflammation in very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates, as estimated by faecal calprotectin levels.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study enrolled 83 VLBW neonates with birth weight ≤1500 g and gestational age ≤34 weeks. In this double-blind study, 40 neonates received daily oral L-arginine supplementation of 1.5 mmol kg(-1) per day between the 3rd and 28th day of life, and 43 neonates placebo. Stool samples were collected on days 3, 14 and 28, and calprotectin was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Calprotectin values significantly decreased over time in both groups (P=0.032). No difference in faecal calprotectin values was recorded between neonates receiving arginine supplementation and neonates receiving placebo at days 3, 14 and 28.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Faecal calprotectin values decrease with increasing postnatal age in VLBW infants, but this is not related to arginine supplementation.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, 'Alexandra' Hospital, Athens, Greece. epolycarpou@yahoo.com
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Polycarpou
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zachaki
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Papaevangelou
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsolia
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kyriacou
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kostalos
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kafetzis
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D001120:Arginine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D020345:Enterocolitis, Necrotizing / Q000378:metabolism / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005243:Feces / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D001120:Arginine