BACKGROUND: Induction of heme oxygenase (HOX) enzyme, the 32 kD stress protein as protection against heme toxicity and adaptation to oxidative stress has been proven in experimental conditions.
SUBJECTS: We studied the role of HOX activity in 40 arteficially ventillated premature infants (29.9±2 ws of gestation, 1502±358 g bw) with adaptational troubles. IRDS, intraventricular hemorrhage on the 1st, 3rd, and 5th days.
METHODS: Concentrations of plasma hemoglobin (Hb) metabolites (oximetHb, hemichrome) and bilirubin were estimated with spectrophotometry, and their ratio (Bi/Bi+Hb) was taken as an index of HOX activity.
RESULTS: In patients with good prognosis (n=30) both a higher initial activity index was shown, and there was also a considerable increase in it: 0.35 to 0.49 against the rise in fatal cases (n=10): 0.22 to 0.39 (median values: p<0.01). There were several prematures (n=10) whom later BPD and/or NEC/ROP developed. They had a decreased activity index (0.22) on the first day, and needed higher oxygen (100%) than the other recovered prematures(60%).
CONCLUSION: HOX activity has a definite role in the outcome of adaptation to extrauterine life in human prematures, and its activity can be assessed in plasma by its product/substrate ratio.
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S. Pintér (spons, by P. Temesvári)
Supp. by Hungarian Research Fund (OTKA T 14546: F 020262, ETT 09557)
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Németh, I., Papp, A., Papp, E. et al. Heme oxygenase activity in prematures with Oxygen Radical Disease 59. Pediatr Res 42, 395 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199709000-00079
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199709000-00079