title: The effect of antenatal L-arginine and antioxidant supplementation on oxidative stress marker levels in newborns.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The present study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics, Paediatrics & Biophysics IMS, BHU, Varanasi with an aim to study the role of L-arginine and oral antioxidants as a part of therapy in patients diagnosed with IUGR (Intra uterine growth restriction ) and cord serum NO and oxidative stress markers GSH and SOD in newborns following delivery of such patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study included 40 pregnant patient between 30-32 weeks of gestation diagnosed with IUGR who were divided into 3 groups: Group I (treated with L-arginine N=10), Group II (treated with antioxidants N=10), Group III (without nutritional supplementation N=10) and Group IV (healthy control pregnant patients of same gestational age range N=10) were taken. Cord serum NO & oxidative stress markers (GSH & SOD) were measured following delivery of patients from those four groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The cord serum NO levels (μmol/lt) showed a significant increase & SOD (U/ml) & GSH (U/lt) values were increased in newborns to mothers diagnosed with IUGR after treatment with L-arginine. Similar results were obtained for treatment with antioxidants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The reduced NO & reduced cord serum circulating levels of oxidative stress markers (GSH & SOD) activity may play an important role in the occurrence of IUGR.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, MGMCRI , Pondicherry, India .
authors.forename: Shweta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dr
authors.affiliation: Professor, Institute of Medical Sciences , Bhu, Varanasi, India .
authors.forename: Anuradha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khanna
keywords: Antioxidants; L- arginine