Objective: Lutein is an antioxidant carotenoid exerting a key role in eye health, but no reference curve in the perinatal period is available. Design and methods: We conducted a prospective study on the distribution of lutein and its metabolite 3'-oxolutein in arterial cord blood of preterm (n=40) and term (n=76) newborns according to gestational age, sex and delivery modalities. Results: Lutein and 3'-oxolutein concentrations peaked at the beginning of third trimester (P<0.01, for both) being higher in the preterm than in term group. From 36 weeks onwards, lutein and 3'-oxolutein levels progressively decreased reaching the lowest levels at term between 41 and 42 weeks (P<0.01, for both). Lutein and 3'-oxolutein significantly (P<0.01, for all) correlated with each other (R=0.33) and with gestational age at sampling (R=0.31 and R=0.38 for lutein and 3-oxolutein, respectively) (P<0.001, for all). Indeed, lutein and 3'-oxolutein concentrations were significantly higher (P<0.05, for all) in female than in male and significantly lower (P<0.01, for both) in newborns delivered by caesarean section when compared to vaginal delivery. Conclusions: Since macula densa and retina are sites of lutein accumulation, the present findings open-up a new cue on the potential role of lutein in the prevention of the retinopathy of prematurity

Arterial cord blood lutein levels in preterm and term healthy newborns are sex and gestational age dependent

LI VOLTI, Giovanni;GALVANO, Fabio;
2012-01-01

Abstract

Objective: Lutein is an antioxidant carotenoid exerting a key role in eye health, but no reference curve in the perinatal period is available. Design and methods: We conducted a prospective study on the distribution of lutein and its metabolite 3'-oxolutein in arterial cord blood of preterm (n=40) and term (n=76) newborns according to gestational age, sex and delivery modalities. Results: Lutein and 3'-oxolutein concentrations peaked at the beginning of third trimester (P<0.01, for both) being higher in the preterm than in term group. From 36 weeks onwards, lutein and 3'-oxolutein levels progressively decreased reaching the lowest levels at term between 41 and 42 weeks (P<0.01, for both). Lutein and 3'-oxolutein significantly (P<0.01, for all) correlated with each other (R=0.33) and with gestational age at sampling (R=0.31 and R=0.38 for lutein and 3-oxolutein, respectively) (P<0.001, for all). Indeed, lutein and 3'-oxolutein concentrations were significantly higher (P<0.05, for all) in female than in male and significantly lower (P<0.01, for both) in newborns delivered by caesarean section when compared to vaginal delivery. Conclusions: Since macula densa and retina are sites of lutein accumulation, the present findings open-up a new cue on the potential role of lutein in the prevention of the retinopathy of prematurity
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11769/36081
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