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Erythrocyte cupric/zinc superoxide dismutase exhibits reduced activity in preterm and low‐birthweight infants at birth
Author(s) -
Phylactos AC,
Leaf A A,
Costeloe K,
Crawford MA
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.1995.tb13580.x
Subject(s) - medicine , superoxide dismutase , gestational age , lipid peroxidation , low birth weight , gestation , birth weight , cord blood , zinc , small for gestational age , endocrinology , zoology , physiology , pregnancy , oxidative stress , biology , chemistry , organic chemistry , genetics
In a comparative study in term, preterm and low‐birthweight infants, the mean activity and standard error of the mean for copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (Cu/Zn SOD) in cord erythrocytes from five term small for gestational age infants was 0.94 ±0.10 SOD units (mg protein) −1 . This value was significantly lower than the activity (2.34 ± 0.24) in nine term, appropriate for gestational age (AGA) babies ( p < 0.005). In 15 preterm (AGA) infants, the activity at birth (1.05±0.07SOD units (mg protein) − ) was also significantly lower ( p < 0.001) relative to term AGA babies. An increased level of activity (1.59 ± 0.09) was detected in the red cells of eight preterm AGA infants on their expected date of delivery compared with (0.87 ± 0.06) at birth ( p < 0.001). However, the activity (1.59 ± 0.09) was still lower than that detected in term AGA babies (2.34 ±0.24; p < 0.02). Similar findings were obtained when enzymatic activity was expressed in units per millilitre of packed erythrocytes. The low activity of Cu/Zn SOD in preterm and low‐birthweight babies may render them susceptible to diseases associated with membrane lipid peroxidation.