Correlations between ceruloplasmin, lactoferrin and myeloperoxidase in meconium

Oxidative stress and the generation of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species has a known significant impact on intrauterine fetal growth and the risk of metabolic diseases in adulthood. Compounds accumulated in fetal meconium may be a source of information about the oxidoreductive status during the intrauterine development. Three metal-containing proteins ceruloplasmin (CP), lactoferrin (LF) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) constitute the complementary panel modulating oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to assess the concentrations of these proteins and their correlations in meconium from healthy neonates.

The CP, LF and MPO concentrations were determined using ELISA Kits. All serial meconium portions (n=80) were collected from healthy full-term neonates (n=19).

The mean±SD concentrations [μg/g] in meconium samples were as follows: CP 312.4±229.7 (range 52.2-1076), LF 45.6±78.9 (range 1.7-511.4), MPO 1.8±1.7 (range 0.02-8.8) with statistically significant correlations between CP vs. LF (R=0.459, p=0.00009) and LF vs. MPO (R=0.354, p=0.0013). A statistically significant increase in the concentrations (p<0.05) between the first and the last meconium portions was found for LF (p=0.027) and for MPO (p=0.0006).

Strong correlations between the meconium concentrations of CP, LF and MPO indicate a possible role of these complementary proteins in maintaining homeostasis of the intrauterine environment of the fetus. CP, LF and MPO measured in meconium may serve as biomarkers for assessment of impairment of oxidative balance during intrauterine life with its potential impact on disease development in adulthood.