Abstract
Background: Endogenous nitric oxide (NO) production increases in perinatal asphyxia and inflammatory processes. Histological lesion (necrosis and/or apoptosis) secondary to hypoxic-ischemic (H-I) injury appears in several hours after the insult but biological markers appear earlier. In our previous studies (1,2) we have observed early changes in cerebral blood flow and in O2-uptake. Aim: To study the early changes of serum NO concentration in a model of perinatal asphyxia induced by prolonged umbilical cord clamping in premature lambs.
Methods: 10 preterm lambs (80–90% GE) were randomly assigned to: Control group, after Cesarean section, lambs were managed on conventional mechanical ventilation for 3 hours (n = 5); Asphyctic group, H-I injury was performed by partial cord clamping during 60 min and later, lambs were managed similar to the control group (n = 5). NO was measured in serum samples by fluorometric assay at baseline (B), immediately after H-I injury and at the end of experiment (3h). Comparation were performed by one-factor ANOVA, p<0.05.
Results:: NO concentration results are summarised in table:
Conclusion: In our model of perinatal asphyxia by partial occlusion of umbilical cord in premature fetal lambs, cellular injury can be assessed just at the end of H-I episode. This early change could be used to test the effects of early preventive strategies in the H-I injury. (1) Alvarez et al. Cerebral O2 uptake and blood flow of asphyxiated lambs on liquid ventilation and MgSO4. Pediatr Res 2001;50:278A. (2) Alvarez et al. Regional cerebral blood flow and O2-uptake changes in preterm lams with hypoxic-ischemic injury rescued with MgSO4. Pediatr Res 2002;51:454A. Supported by grants: FIS 01/0110–01,-02 and RESPIRA net of RITC, FIS C03/11.
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Rey-Santano, M., Alvarez, F., Gastiasoro, E. et al. 224 Early Increase of Nitric Oxide in A Model of Perinatal Asphyxia in Fetal Lambs. Pediatr Res 56, 502 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200409000-00247
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200409000-00247