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Glutathione status in retinopathy of prematurity
1Department of Ophthalmology, Albert Szent-Györgyi Medical University, Szeged, Hungary.
Insights
Premature infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) show altered glutathione levels. This suggests the glutathione redox ratio could be a biochemical screen for active ROP in premature infants.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Ophthalmology
- Neonatology
Background:
- Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a significant cause of visual impairment in premature infants.
- Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of ROP.
- Glutathione is a key antioxidant in cellular defense against oxidative damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the glutathione status in red blood cells of patients with ROP, both in vivo and after oxidative challenge.
- To determine if glutathione redox balance is altered in active ROP and preceding ROP.
- To evaluate the potential of the glutathione redox ratio as a biomarker for ROP.
Main Methods:
- Assessed glutathione levels (reduced glutathione [GSH] and oxidized glutathione [GSSG]) in red blood cells of ROP patients and controls.
- Performed in vitro oxidative challenge to evaluate glutathione recycling capacity.
- Compared glutathione status between active ROP, preceding ROP, and control groups.
Main Results:
- Infants with active ROP exhibited the lowest GSH levels, highest GSSG levels, and highest GSSG/GSH ratios.
- A significant decrease in GSH was observed after in vitro oxidative challenge in active ROP infants.
- Defective glutathione recycling was identified in patients with preceding ROP, suggesting a predisposition to oxidative hemolysis.
Conclusions:
- Glutathione redox imbalance is evident in patients with retinopathy of prematurity.
- The glutathione redox ratio serves as a potential biochemical screen for identifying active ROP in premature infants.
- Altered glutathione metabolism may contribute to the pathophysiology of ROP and associated complications.
Abstract:
This study examines the glutathione status of red blood cells in patients with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) both in vivo and after an in vitro oxidative challenge. Fifty ROP patients of different ages (between 6 weeks and 6 years), born prematurely (gestational age: 28.7 +/- 1.3 weeks; birth weight: 1210 +/- 313 g; mean +/- SD) suffering either from active ROP (<3 months old; n = 12) or from a visual handicap due to preceding ROP (3 months-6 years; n = 38) as well as control patients of similar age and maturity (n = 56) were included. Infants with active disease have the lowest levels of reduced glutathione (GSH), the highest levels of oxidized form (GSSG), the highest GSSG/GSH ratios and the greatest fall in GSH after an in vitro oxidative challenge. After an in vitro oxidative stress, defective glutathione recycling was found in patients with preceding ROP and was suggested as a factor predisposing to oxidative hemolysis. The glutathione redox ratio was warranted as a biochemical screen for active ROP in premature infants.