Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 27, 2026
A Clinical Trial Assessing the Safety, Efficacy, and Delivery of Olive-Oil-Based Three-Chamber Bags for Parenteral Nutrition
Published on: September 20, 2019
Effects of parenteral lipid infusion on DNA damage in very low birth weight infants
Toshiaki Shimizu1, Yayoi Satoh, Hiromichi Syoji
1Department of Pediatrics, Juntendo University School of Medicine 2-1-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0033, Japan. tsimizut@aol.com
Insights
Parenteral lipid infusion did not increase DNA damage in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. However, DNA damage markers were higher in the first week of life compared to 14 days old, regardless of lipid infusion.
Area of Science:
- Neonatalogy
- Oxidative Stress Research
- Biomarker Analysis
Background:
- Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants possess underdeveloped antioxidant systems, increasing susceptibility to radical damage.
- Parenteral nutrition lipid emulsions have been linked to elevated lipid peroxide products in prior research.
- The direct impact of parenteral lipid infusion on DNA damage in VLBW infants requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the direct effects of parenteral lipid infusion on DNA damage in VLBW infants.
- To quantify urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels as a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage.
Main Methods:
- Urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels were measured in VLBW infants.
- Measurements were taken before, during, and after parenteral lipid infusion.
- Infants were divided into lipid-infused and lipid-free groups for comparison.
Main Results:
- Urinary 8-OHdG excretion decreased significantly by 14 days old in both groups (p < 0.01).
- No significant differences in 8-OHdG levels were observed between lipid-infused and lipid-free groups at 2, 7, or 14 days old.
- DNA damage was elevated during the first week of life compared to 14 days old, irrespective of lipid infusion.
Conclusions:
- Parenteral lipid infusion does not appear to induce oxidative DNA damage in VLBW infants.
- VLBW infants experience enhanced DNA damage during their first week of life, which diminishes by 14 days old.
- Further research may explore the underlying causes of early-life DNA damage in VLBW infants.
Abstract:
Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are known to have poorly developed antioxidant system and may be at increased risk for radical damage. Previous studies have reported higher levels of lipid peroxide products in lipid emulsion used for parenteral nutrition. To examine the direct effects of parenteral lipid infusion on DNA damage in VLBW infants, we measured urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels in VLBW infants before, during, and after the parenteral lipid infusion. In both the lipid-infused and lipid-free groups, urinary 8-OHdG excretion levels at 14 days old were significantly (p < 0.01) lower than those at 2 and 7 days old. However, there were no significant differences in urinary 8-OHdG excretion levels between the lipid-infused and lipid-free groups at 2, 7, and 14 days old. Our results suggest that parenteral lipid infusion does not cause oxidative DNA damage, but irrespective of the infusion DNA damage during the first week of life is enhanced when compared with 14 days after birth in VLBW infants.
