Plasma Oxidative Status in Preterm Infants Receiving LCPUFA Supplementation: A Pilot Study (original) (raw)

After birth, preterm infants are deficient in arachidonic acid (ARA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and antioxidants, increasing their risk of oxidative stress-related pathologies. The principal aim was to evaluate if supplementation with long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) improves antioxidant defenses. In total, 21 preterm infants were supplemented with ARA and DHA in a 2:1 ratio (ARA:DHA-S) or with medium-chain triglycerides (MCT-S). Plasma n-3 and n-6 LCPUFAs were measured at birth, postnatal day 28, and 36 weeks of postmenstrual age (36 WPA) by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy. Plasma antioxidants (glutathione (GSH), catalase, and thiols) and oxidative damage biomarkers (malondialdehyde (MDA), carbonyls) were analyzed at the same time points by spectrophotometry, and scores of antioxidant status (Antiox-S) and oxidative damage (Proxy-S) were calculated. At 36 WPA, linoleic acid (LA) and dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (DGLA) were decreased in ARA:DHA-S compared to the MC...

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