Surface Tension, Glutathione Content and Redox Ratio of the Tracheal Aspirate Fluid of Premature Infants with IRDS

Abstract

Objective: Determination of the surface tension (ST), the total glutathione (GL) content and the ratio of oxidized glutathione (GSSG) to reduced glutathione (GSH) in the tracheal aspirate (TA) of newborn infants with IRDS. Methods: The ST of the TA was determined by monitoring the fluid level pulsated in a capillary glass tube by means of a digitalized videocomputerized picture analysis program, a technique developed in our laboratory. The concentrations of GSSG and total GL in the TA were determined enzymatically with glutathione reductase. All results of laboratory tests were referred to the total phospholipid (PL) concentration. Patients, Experimental Material: TA samples were collected from 32 intubated premature and newborn infants admitted to the NICU with IRDS during the first 2 weeks of their lives. Control samples were obtained from 11 children prior to elective surgery. Results: The ST relative to the PL content (surface tension index, ST_I) was significantly lower in the newborns with IRDS than in the control group, and the concentration of GSH in the TA was also markedly decreased in all IRDS infants studied. The concentration of GSSG and the ratio of GSSG to GSH were significantly higher in the severe cases and in those with an unfavourable prognosis. Surfactant treatment had a protective effect against oxidative stress, it induced a decrease in both the GSSG concentration and in the GL redox ratio (GSSG/GSH) in the TA. There was a close correlation between the GSH content and the ST_I value of the samples studied. Conclusion: Oxidation and consequent depletion of GSH in the TA may be an aggravating factor in the development of the insufficient surface activity in intubated newborns with IRDS.

Total antioxidant capacity and total oxidant status after surfactant treatment in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome

“…One previous study showed a decrease in both the GSSG concentration and in the GSSG/GSH ratio in the tracheal aspirate of newborns with RDS after surfactant treatment. 12 The primary aim of our study was to evaluate the oxidant/ antioxidant status in preterm infants with RDS via measurement of total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS) and to determine the effect of surfactant on oxidant/antioxidant balance. The secondary outcome was to assess the association between TAC, TOS and clinical outcomes of the patients.…”

Cord Blood Superoxide Dismutase and Glutathione Peroxidase Activity in Premature Infants / Aktivnost Superoksid-Dismutaze I Glutation-Peroksidaze Kod Prevremeno Rodene Dece

“…SOD plays a fundamental role in modulating oxygen toxicity and its induction seems related to the extent of the redox abnormality in the cell (30)(31)(32)(33). Significantly lower GPX activity, estimated at birth, in preterms receiving supplemented oxygen treatment and even more depressed in those who required mechanical ventilation could be a consequence of a selenium deficiency and, also, a possible glutathione (GSH) deficit in these groups, as has been reported by several authors (34)(35)(36)(37). This could lead to an inadequate activity of the glutathione system and therefore less regeneration of glutathione peroxidase, since GPX catalyses the reduction of hydro gen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) and hydroperoxides originating from polyunsaturated fatty acids at the expense of reduced GSH.…”

Correlation Between Lung Injury Score, PvO2/FiO2 Ratio and Oxidative Stress Markers in Tracheal Aspirate Samples in Intubated Infant Patients During Chest Physical Therapy

“…Confirmed data in a previous study of 32 intubated preterm and newborn infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) showed a low total GSH level in TA when compared with 11 control children (35). The MDA level in alveolar fluid was significantly high from ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) (36).…”