G D'Angelo1, L Marseglia2, R Granese3, A Di Benedetto3, A Giacobbe3, P Impellizzeri4, A Alibrandi5, E Ferro6, A Palmara2, S Manti6, T Arrigo6, C Salpietro6, G Buonocore7, R J Reiter8, E Gitto2. 1. Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, Italy; Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Italy. Electronic address: gabdangelo@unime.it. 2. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Italy. 3. Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Italy. 4. Unit of Paediatric Surgery, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. 5. Department of Economical, Business and Environmental Sciences and Quantitative Methods, University of Messina, Italy. 6. Unit of Paediatric Genetics and Immunology, Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Developmental Age "Gaetano Barresi", University of Messina, Italy. 7. Department of Pediatrics, University of Siena, Italy. 8. Department of Cell Systems and Anatomy, The University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress is involved in several maternal conditions characterized both by an increase in free radicals synthesis and a parallel decrease in the antioxidant activity. Parturition induces considerable oxidative stress and many inflammatory mediators, among which HMGB1, are involved from the beginning of pregnancy to the birth of the infant. We evaluated serum cord blood HMGB1 levels in a population of neonates to investigate correlation with mode of delivery, as well as the influence of labour. SETTING AND PATIENTS: The study subjects were 325 neonates delivered at University Hospital "G. Martino" of Messina over an 18-month period. Following cord separation, venous blood sampling was performed on umbelical cords. RESULTS: In the cord venous blood, we found HMGB1 values significantly more elevated in spontaneous vaginal group when compared to elective or emergency caesarean section group. Regarding labour, umbilical cord venous blood HMGB1 levels were significantly higher in the spontaneous and induced labour group, compared to non-labouring women. CONCLUSION: These results could highlight a possible role of HMGB1 during birth time related to mode of delivery and labour.
OBJECTIVE: Oxidative stress is involved in several maternal conditions characterized both by an increase in free radicals synthesis and a parallel decrease in the antioxidant activity. Parturition induces considerable oxidative stress and many inflammatory mediators, among which HMGB1, are involved from the beginning of pregnancy to the birth of the infant. We evaluated serum cord blood HMGB1 levels in a population of neonates to investigate correlation with mode of delivery, as well as the influence of labour. SETTING AND PATIENTS: The study subjects were 325 neonates delivered at University Hospital "G. Martino" of Messina over an 18-month period. Following cord separation, venous blood sampling was performed on umbelical cords. RESULTS: In the cord venous blood, we found HMGB1 values significantly more elevated in spontaneous vaginal group when compared to elective or emergency caesarean section group. Regarding labour, umbilical cord venous blood HMGB1 levels were significantly higher in the spontaneous and induced labour group, compared to non-labouring women. CONCLUSION: These results could highlight a possible role of HMGB1 during birth time related to mode of delivery and labour.