Reactive oxygen species play an important role in the pathogenesis of respiratory
distress syndrome and its complications. This study was conducted to determine if
treatment with the antioxidant melatonin would influence interleukin-6, interleukin-8,
tumor necrosis factor α, and nitrite/nitrate levels in newborns with grade III or
IV respiratory distress syndrome (radiographically confirmed) diagnosed within the
first 6 hours of life. Prior to treatment, a blood sample was collected from the umbilical
cord or a peripheral vein of each newborn. Second, third, and fourth blood samples
were collected at 24 hours, 72 hours, and 7 days, respectively, after beginning treatment
with melatonin or placebo. Compared with the melatonin-treated respiratory distress
syndrome newborns, in the untreated infants the concentrations of interleukin-6, interleukin-8,
and tumor necrosis factor α were significantly higher at 24 hours, 72 hours, and at
7 days after onset of the study. in addition, nitrite/nitrate levels at all time points
were higher in the untreated respiratory distress syndrome newborns than in the melatonin-treated
babies. Following melatonin administration, nitrite/nitrate levels decreased significantly,
whereas they remained high and increased further in the respiratory distress syndrome
infants not given melatonin.
KEYWORDS
Newborns - respiratory distress syndrome - melatonin
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Russel J ReiterPh.D.
Department of Cellular and Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science
Center at San Antonio
Mail Code 7762, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229-3900