Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
Breast Milk Enhances Growth of Enteroids: An Ex Vivo Model of Cell Proliferation
Published on: February 15, 2018
Total oxidant status and oxidative stress are increased in infants with necrotizing enterocolitis
Cumhur Aydemir1, Dilek Dilli, Nurdan Uras
1Department of Neonatology, Zekai Tahir Burak Maternity Hospital, 06100 Ankara, Turkey. chaydemir@hotmail.com
Insights
Oxidative stress is linked to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants. Higher total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) correlate with NEC severity, while total antioxidant capacity (TAC) remains unchanged.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal research
- Pediatric gastroenterology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Oxidative stress is a key factor in necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) development.
- Understanding the balance of oxidants and antioxidants is crucial for NEC pathogenesis.
- This study investigates oxidant/antioxidant status in preterm infants with NEC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare global oxidant/antioxidant status in preterm infants with NEC versus controls.
- To measure total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI).
- To correlate these markers with NEC severity.
Main Methods:
- Included 41 preterm neonates with NEC (stages 1, 2, 3) and 36 healthy preterm controls.
- Collected blood samples at NEC diagnosis and 72 hours post-diagnosis.
- Analyzed serum TAC, TOS, and OSI levels and compared them across groups.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in TAC levels was observed among the groups.
- Preterm neonates with stages 2 and 3 NEC exhibited significantly higher TOS and OSI levels.
- Increased TOS and OSI were associated with more severe NEC stages.
Conclusions:
- Oxidant stress mechanisms are activated in preterm neonates with established NEC (stages 2 and 3).
- While TAC levels are comparable, elevated TOS and OSI indicate heightened oxidative stress in severe NEC.
- These findings highlight the role of oxidative stress in NEC severity.
Background:
Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathogenesis of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). In this study, we compared the global oxidant/antioxidant status by measuring total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) in preterm infants with NEC and with control preterms.
Methods:
Forty-one preterm neonates with NEC (stage 1 [group 1; n = 23] and stages 2 and 3 [group 2; n = 18]) and age-matched 36 healthy preterm controls (group 3) were included in this study. Blood samples were obtained both at the time of NEC diagnosis and 72 hours after for the evaluation of TAC and TOS. Serum levels of TAC, TOS, and OSI in patients with NEC were compared with controls.
Results:
Demographic characteristics were comparable in all 3 groups. Preterm neonates in group 2 (with stages 2 and 3 NEC) had the highest TOS levels and OSI (P < .001 vs both groups 1 and 3). There was no difference in TAC levels among the groups (P = .26).
Conclusions:
Our findings demonstrated that although TAC levels were similar in all 3 groups, oxidant stress mechanisms were activated in preterm neonates with definite NEC (stages 2 and 3 NEC). Premature neonates with increased levels of TOS and OSI were associated with severity of NEC.
