Related Experiment Videos
Postnatal changes in plasma ceruloplasmin and transferrin antioxidant activities in preterm babies
J H Lindeman1, E G Lentjes, D van Zoeren-Grobben
1Department of Surgery, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, The Netherlands. lindeman@lumc.nl
Insights
Plasma antioxidant activity in preterm infants rises postnatally, despite low ceruloplasmin and transferrin. This suggests a compensatory mechanism for iron binding and antioxidant protection in early life.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Neonatal Physiology
- Pediatric Nutrition
Background:
- Premature infants exhibit unique physiological adaptations.
- Antioxidant systems are crucial for neonatal health.
- Iron metabolism and binding proteins play vital roles in infant development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate postnatal changes in plasma antioxidant activity in preterm infants.
- To assess the roles of ceruloplasmin and transferrin in iron binding and antioxidant function during early life.
- To identify potential sources of oxidative stress in cord blood.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 10 healthy preterm infants over 6 weeks.
- Measurement of plasma ceruloplasmin levels and ferroxidase activity.
- Assay of transferrin levels and plasma iron-binding antioxidant activity.
- Analysis of cord blood samples for peroxidation activity.
Main Results:
- Ceruloplasmin levels and ferroxidase activity were low at birth, increasing by 3-6 weeks.
- Transferrin levels remained low throughout the 6-week study.
- Plasma iron-binding antioxidant activity, initially low, increased and remained high postnatally.
- Cord blood samples showed stimulated peroxidation, likely due to non-protein-bound iron.
Conclusions:
- Preterm infants develop increased plasma iron-binding antioxidant activity postnatally.
- This rise may compensate for low ceruloplasmin and transferrin levels.
- Non-protein-bound iron in cord blood could contribute to oxidative stress.
Abstract:
Postnatal changes in plasma ceruloplasmin ferroxidase and transferrin iron-binding antioxidant activity were studied in 10 healthy preterm babies during the first 6 weeks of life. Ceruloplasmin levels and ceruloplasmin ferroxidase activity were low at birth, remained stable for the first 3 weeks, and increased between 3 and 6 weeks. The transferrin levels were also low at birth, and this finding persisted throughout the 6-week study period. However, although the plasma iron-binding antioxidant activity was correspondingly low at birth, it thereafter rose and remained high. In four cord blood samples, but not in subsequent postnatal samples, peroxidation was actually stimulated in the assay measuring plasma iron-binding antioxidant activity. We have previously shown that this phenomenon is probably due to the presence of non-protein-bound iron.