1,721,160 research outputs found
Markers di stress ossidativo nei liquidi biologici. (Markers of oxidative stress in biological fluids)
No full textThe damaging effects of free radicals (FR) in the perinatal period may be detected by testing specific markers of oxidative stress (OS) in newborn's biological fluids. Currently, more than 70 different markers are used to assess both the damage caused by excessive production of FR and body's antioxidant response. Our goal is to identify reliable markers for the detection of OS in physiology and pathology. These biomarkers can be useful for several clinical purpose such as to monitor the response to any antioxidant intervention and then develop preventive strategies. The standardization and a large clinical use of these biomarkers should contribute to the daily neonatologists work in the early detection, management and therapy of the several neonatal FR diseases
Blood pressure in the small-for-date newborn
No full textAIM:
The aim of the paper is to verify the existence of an inverse correlation between birth weight and blood pressure (BP) in neonates, infants and adolescents.
METHODS:
BP was measured at 7 days, 3, 6, 9, 12 months and 7-18 years in 432 subjects born at term at the Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Reproductive Medicine, University of Siena; 228 of these subjects were small for gestational age (SGA) and 204 appropriate for gestational age (AGA). For small babies, BP was measured with a DYNAMAP oscillometer which provides digital visualisation of systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure and heart rate. In older children, a mercury sphygmomanometer was used. Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 8.01 software using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test for normality of populations.
RESULTS:
Statistical analysis did not reveal any significant differences between SGA and AGA subjects in the various age classes of the first 12 months of life. Significant correlation was found between 7 and 18 years with differences in the various age classes for systolic pressure. Subjects with normal birthweight had lower systolic and diastolic BP. SGA males had higher risk of high systolic and diastolic pressure, whereas SGA females were only at higher risk for elevated diastolic pressure.
CONCLUSIONS:
SGA subjects should be monitored for BP and life-style between 7 and 18 years to risk of cardiovascular disease
Development of a Fast and Simple LC-MS/MS Method for Measuring the F(2)- Isoprostanes in newborns
No full textBACKGROUND:
Quantification of F(2)-IsoPs isomer has been regarded as the "gold standard" to assess oxidative stress status in various adult and neonatal human diseases. These methods require high amounts of plasma.
OBJECTIVE:
To develop a fast and simple LC-MS/MS method for measuring F(2)-isoprostanes in newborns.
METHODS:
A sample of heel blood (0.4 mL) was collected in a tube containing EDTA was collected from 20 term healthy newborns. For measurements, the tandem mass spectrometer has been run in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) with the electrospray source operating in negative ion mode, and by exploiting the transitions m/z 353.3 > 193.2 for F2-IsoPs and 357.3 > 197.2 for the internal standard d4-8-iso PGF2α.
RESULTS:
The concentration of F(2)-IsoPs (in pg/mL) in the collected cord bloods was 60.50 ± 25.04 (mean ± S.D.). No statistical difference was found between male (57.09 ± 19.69) and female (64.67 ± 31.13) concentrations. The overall efficiency of the extraction has been over 80%, while the recovery on spiked samples has been around 94% for spikes of 100 pg/mL with a C.V. of 7.7%.
CONCLUSIONS:
We developed a suitable method for large-scale studies with a reduced sample requirement as it is mandatory in neonatal age. Small samples and quick answers are very useful in Neonatology allowing early diagnosis and preventive treatments' strategies of free radical related diseases of the newborn
Simvastatin acutely reduces ischemic brain damage in the immature rat via Akt and CREB activation
No full textWe have previously shown that simvastatin (Sim) has long-lasting neuroprotective effects in a neonatal model of hypoxia-ischemia. Herein we evaluated the neuroprotective effect of different doses and duration of Sim treatment and further addressed its mechanism of action. Neonatal rats were subjected to occlusion of the right carotid artery followed by 2.5 h hypoxia (hypoxia-ischemia, HI). Sim was given at the dose of 10 or 5 mg/kg, s.c. from postnatal day 1 (PN1) to PN7, or at 20 mg/kg from PN4 to PN7, or at 20 mg/kg in a single administration 18 h before the onset of the ischemic procedure. Low-dose treatments or a single administration of the drug were effective in reducing HI-induced brain damage and its behavioural outcomes. Sim increased both Akt and CREB phosphorylation in neuronal cells and treatment with wortmannin completely blocked neuroprotection and p-Akt. These data demonstrate that even a single prophylactic Sim administration protects from hypoxic ischemic brain damage and that neuroprotection is in part obtained by preserving Akt and Stimulating CREB phosphorylation in neuronal cells. Prophylactic Sim administration set in motion biochemical events that are known to increase brain tolerance to harmful factors, suggesting that the drug may exert neuroprotection by inducing pharmacological preconditioning
Simvastatin acutely reduces ischemic brain damage in the immature rat via Akt and CREB activation
No full textWe have previously shown that simvastatin (Sim) has long-lasting neuroprotective effects in a neonatal model of hypoxia-ischemia. Herein we evaluated the neuroprotective effect of different doses and duration of Sim treatment and further addressed its mechanism of action. Neonatal rats were subjected to occlusion of the right carotid artery followed by 2.5 h hypoxia (hypoxia-ischemia, HI). Sim was given at the dose of 10 or 5 mg/kg, s.c. from postnatal day 1 (PN1) to PN7, or at 20 mg/kg from PN4 to PN7, or at 20 mg/kg in a single administration 18 h before the onset of the ischemic procedure. Low-dose treatments or a single administration of the drug were effective in reducing HI-induced brain damage and its behavioural outcomes. Sim increased both Akt and CREB phosphorylation in neuronal cells and treatment with wortmannin completely blocked neuroprotection and p-Akt. These data demonstrate that even a single prophylactic Sim administration protects from hypoxic ischemic brain damage and that neuroprotection is in part obtained by preserving Akt and stimulating CREB phosphorylation in neuronal cells. Prophylactic Sim administration set in motion biochemical events that are known to increase brain tolerance to harmful factors, suggesting that the drug may exert neuroprotection by inducing pharmacological preconditioning
Selenium status, birth weight, and breast-feeding: pattern in the first month
No full textSelenium (Se) is an essential nutritional element for humans. A low Se status has been documented in formula-fed small-for-gestational age (SGA) newborns in the first month of life. The aim of the study was to compare the nutritional selenium status in adequate-for-gestational age (AGA) and in SGA newborns in the first month of life in relation to feeding type. Se status was assessed by plasma and erythrocyte concentrations, determined by pulsed Zeeman effect-atomic absorption spectrophotometry. We studied 210 newborns divided in groups according to birth weight (129 AGA, 81 SGA ) and feeding type (breast milk, formula, mixed) in wk 1-4 of postnatal life. Erythrocyte Se levels are affected neither by feeding type nor by birth weight. Se plasmatic concentrations were lower in SGA than in AGA newborns. Significant differences in mean plasma concentrations were found between formula-fed and breast-fed (p=0.013) and between formula-fed and mixed-fed (p=0.006) SGA newborns. The difference was not significant in AGA neonates. Breast-fed SGA newborns consistently showed higher plasma Se concentrations than formula-fed newborns. Unless supplemented from birth, Se intake will be inadequate in bottle-fed SGA infants
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