title: Concentrations of neutrophil-derived proteins in meconium and their correlations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim was to measure concentrations of four neutrophil-derived proteins in meconium as biomarkers describing prenatal environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Calprotectin, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase and PMN-elastase concentrations were measured using ELISA kits in serial meconium portions (n = 81) from 20 healthy neonates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The highest concentration was for calprotectin (286.5 ± 214.6 µg/g) with a positive correlation (r = 0.75, p < 0.0001) with myeloperoxidase (1.81 ± 1.72 µg/g). For PMN-elastase (1.70 ± 2.69 µg/g) a negative correlation was observed with calprotectin and myeloperoxidase (r = -0.51, p < 0.0001; r = -0.60, p < 0.0001, respectively). Concentration of lactoferrin (45.07 ± 78.53 µg/g) correlated only with that of myeloperoxidese (r = 0.36, p = 0.0009).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Calprotectin, lactoferrin, myeloperoxidase and PMN-elastase concentrations in meconium are interrelated. These proteins may serve as objective biomarkers describing and/or assessing the intrauterine environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry & Clinical Chemistry, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lisowska-Myjak
authors.affiliation: Clinical Department of Obstetrics, Female Diseases & Gynecological Oncology, Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Interior, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Żytyńska-Daniluk
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry & Clinical Chemistry, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Skarżyńska
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D001724:Birth Weight; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007249:Inflammation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D007781:Lactoferrin / Q000032:analysis; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase / Q000032:analysis; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D008470:Meconium / Q000378:metabolism*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000378:metabolism*; D009195:Peroxidase / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D039841:Leukocyte L1 Antigen Complex; D009195:Peroxidase; D007781:Lactoferrin; D019272:Leukocyte Elastase
keywords: PMN-elastase; calprotectin; lactoferrin; meconium; myeloperoxidase; neutrophil