Suppressive effects of breast milk on oxidative DNA damage in very low birthweight infants
- Correspondence to:
Dr Shimizu
Department of Pediatrics, Juntendo University, School of Medicine, 2-1-1, Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan; tsimizutaol.com
- Accepted 10 March 2003
Abstract
Background: Human milk contains many kinds of antioxidant and is considered to prevent diseases mediated by oxygen free radicals in very low birthweight (VLBW) infants.
Aims: To examine the antioxidant effects of breast milk in VLBW infants by determining urinary 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) excretion, which is known to be a non-invasive marker for in vivo oxidative DNA damage.
Methods: Urinary 8-OHdG concentrations were measured in 15 breast fed and 14 formula fed VLBW infants at 2, 7, 14, and 28 days of age.
Results: Urinary 8-OHdG excretion at 14 and 28 days of age was significantly lower than at 2 and 7 days of age in the breast fed group, and significantly lower than in the formula fed group.
Conclusion: This is the first direct evidence of the antioxidant action of human milk in VLBW infants.
- 8-OHdG, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine
- VLBW, very low birth weight
- NEC, necrotising enterocolitis
- CLD, chronic lung disease
- ROP, retinopathy of prematurity
- IVH, intraventricular haemorrhage
- ELISA, enzyme linked immunosorbent assay
