title: The quality of the antioxidant defence system in term and preterm twin neonates.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Multiple pregnancy is associated with an enhanced metabolism and demand for O2, which may lead to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species and the development of oxidative stress. The degree of oxidative damage depends on the level of the antioxidant protection system of the foetus. The objective of the study was to identify the relationship between the state of the maturity and the antioxidant status of twin neonates. Investigations of the umbilical cord blood were carried out to detect differences in the antioxidant defence system between mature and premature twin neonates.
  
  
  METHODS
  The activities of the superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzymes, the levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), protein carbonyls and oxidized lipids and the total antioxidant capacity of the plasma were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The level of lipid peroxidation was significantly higher in the premature neonates. An increase in the total antioxidant capacity was accompanied by a decrease in the damaged protein concentration. Significantly elevated activities of GPx alone were observed in the premature twins, though the GSH content too tended to be increased. The activity of SOD was decreased in the premature neonates.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The antioxidant status of twin neonates are mainly influenced by maturity. We suggest that the level of lipid peroxidation might be of clinical value as a marker of pre- and perinatal distress in twins.
authors.forename: Renáta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lázár
authors.forename: Hajnalka
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Orvos
authors.forename: Réka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Szőllősi
authors.forename: Ilona S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Varga
mesh_terms: D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D005865:Gestational Age; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000378:metabolism*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D011247:Pregnancy; D050050:Protein Carbonylation; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D014427:Twins
chemical_list: D000975:Antioxidants; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione
keywords: Antioxidant enzymes; Lipid peroxidation; Oxidative stress; Twin neonates; Umbilical cord blood