Neuroglobin as a Neuroprotective in Neonates with Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy

Abstract

Background Neuroglobin is a member of the globin family that reversibly binds oxygen and increases oxygen delivery to brain. It also protects brain in hypoxemic or state levels, and so, decreases brain insult. We aimed to evaluate whether neuroglobin can be considered a neuroprotective in neonates with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) by measuring its serum level in such cases. Materials and Methods: This is a prospective case – control study that was conducted in Minia University Children’s hospital, El-Minya, Egypt on 30 term neonates who were diagnosed to have hypoxic–ischemic encephalopathy and another 30 apparently healthy term neonates as a control group. For both cases and controls, detailed history, clinical examination and serum neuroglobin level were done, while arterial blood gases, serum electrolytes, liver function, renal function tests, CBC, CRP, and CT- brain were done for cases only. Results: The results showed that serum neuroglobin levels were significantly higher in cases with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy than control group (p < 0.001). In this study, serum neuroglobin levels were higher (p < 0.001). We observed a weak negative correlation between serum neuroglobin level and Apgar score at one minute in studied cases with HIE. Also, we found that presence of both brain edema and hemorrhage in CT brain in cases with HIE was associated with a high mean serum neuroglobin level, than in either finding alone (p < 0.001). Conclusion Neuroglobin could be considered as a neuroprotective in neonatal cases with hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy and this may be considered in the future potential therapeutic options in such cases.