Molecular mechanisms of oxidative stress-related neonatal jaundice |
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Authors: | Serafina Perrone Chiara Lembo Maurizio Giordano Chiara Petrolini Laura Cannavò Eloisa Gitto |
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Affiliation: | 1. Department of Medicine and Surgery, Neonatology Unit, 'Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Parma, University of Parma, Parma, Italy;2. Department of Molecular and Developmental Medicine, University of Siena, Siena, Italy;3. Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, Federico II University, Naples, Italy;4. Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age “Gaetano Barresi”, University of Messina, Messina, Italy |
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Abstract: | Oxidative stress is a pathological condition characterized by an overload of oxidant products, named free radicals, which are not well counteracted by antioxidant systems. Free radicals induce oxidative damage to many body organs and systems. In neonatal red blood cells, free-radical mediated-oxidative stress leads to eryptosis, a suicidal death process of erythrocytes consequent to alteration of cell integrity. Neonatal red blood cells are targets and at the same time generators of free radicals through the Fenton and Haber-Weiss reactions. Enhanced eryptosis in case of oxidative stress damage may cause anemia if the increased loss of erythrocytes is not enough compensated by enhanced new erythrocytes synthesis. The oxidative disruption of the red cells may cause unconjugated idiopathic hyperbilirubinemia in neonates. High levels of bilirubin are recognized to be dangerous for the central nervous system in newborns, however, many studies have highlighted the antioxidant function of bilirubin. Recently, it has been suggested that physiologic concentration of bilirubin correlates with higher antioxidant status while high pathological bilirubin levels are associated with pro-oxidants effects. The aim of this educational review is to provide an updated understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying erythrocyte oxidant injury and its reversal in neonatal idiopathic hyperbilirubinemia. |
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Keywords: | antioxidants erythrocytes free radicals jaundice newborn infants oxidative stress |
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