Alteration of erythrocyte membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids in preterm newborns with retinopathy of prematurity

Charlotte Pallot,Denis S Semama,Delphine Martin,Alain M Bron,Catherine P Creuzot-Garcher,Lionel Bretillon,Julie Mazzocco,Stéphane Gregoire,Niyazi Acar,Aurélie Donier,Cyril Meillon,Ninon Ternoy,Corinne Chantegret

doi:10.1038/s41598-019-44476-w

Abstract

Extremely preterm infants are at high risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a potentially blinding disease characterized by abnormalities in retinal vascularization. Whereas animal studies revealed that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may be of benefit in preventing ROP, human studies conducted on preterm infants during the 1st weeks of life showed no association between blood n-3 PUFA bioavailability and ROP incidence and/or severity, probably because of the influence of nutrition on the lipid status of infants. In the OmegaROP prospective cohort study, we characterized the erythrocyte concentrations of PUFAs in preterm infants aged less than 29 weeks gestational age (GA) without any nutritional influence. We show that GA is positively associated with the erythrocyte n-6 to n-3 PUFA ratio, and particularly with the ratio of arachidonic acid (AA) to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in infants with ROP. A time-dependent accumulation of AA at the expense of DHA seems to occur in utero in erythrocytes of preterm infants who will develop ROP, thus reinforcing previous data on the beneficial properties of DHA on this disease. In addition, preliminary data on maternal erythrocyte membrane lipid concentrations suggest modifications in placental transfer of fatty acids. Documenting the erythrocyte AA to DHA ratio at birth in larger cohorts might be useful to set up new prognostic factors for ROP.

Highlights

Preterm infants are at high risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a potentially blinding disease characterized by abnormalities in retinal vascularization
This report characterizes the erythrocyte concentrations of fatty acids in preterm infants born before 29 weeks gestational age (GA)
Whereas Martin et al and Löfqvist et al looked at whole blood and plasma lipids, respectively[25,26], the present study is to our knowledge the first characterizing erythrocyte lipids in preterm infants born before 29 weeks GA

Summary

Introduction

Preterm infants are at high risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a potentially blinding disease characterized by abnormalities in retinal vascularization. Preterm birth (commonly before 32 weeks of gestational age (GA))[5] and lower birth weight (usually below 1500 g)[6] are independent risk factors of ROP, whereas high oxygen saturation is the major cause for developing the disease[7]. Other risk factors such as red blood cell transfusion[8], use of erythropoietin (EPO)[9], hyperglycemia[10], and maternal anemia[11] have been identified. Sampling time (h) Male Gestational age (weeks) Birth weight (g) ROP ROP treated ROP detection (weeks) Mechanical ventilation (days) Sepsis Erythropoietin use RBC transfusion Cerebral hemorrhage

Methods

Results

Conclusion