Orphan designation: melatonin, Treatment of perinatal asphyxia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Author(s):  
Gabriella D'angelo ◽  
Laura Cannavò ◽  
Russel J. Reiter ◽  
Eloisa Gitto

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is the main cause of long-term neurodevelopmental morbidity in term born infants worldwide. Melatonin is a hormone with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects that make it a promising molecule for the treatment of perinatal asphyxia. Probably, the synergistic use of hypothermia associated with melatonin treatment may improve the neurological outcome in infants with HIE. In the past 20 years, the efficacy of melatonin in reducing oxidative stress has been demonstrated in animals; however, clinical trials with sufficient sample size of newborns are lacking to date.Since in 2000 we were among the first to study the neuroprotective properties of melatonin on infants, in this review, we want to summarize the advantages and limitations of the investigations conducted to date. Key Points


Reproduction ◽  
2000 ◽  
pp. 151-156 ◽  
Author(s):  
E Diaz ◽  
D Pazo ◽  
AI Esquifino ◽  
B Diaz

The effect of age and melatonin on the activity of the neuroendocrine reproductive system was studied in young cyclic (3-5 months-old), and old acyclic (23-25 month-old) female rats. Pituitary responsiveness to a bolus of GnRH (50 ng per 100 g body weight) was assessed at both reproductive stages in control and melatonin-treated (150 micrograms melatonin per 100 g body weight each day for 1 month) groups. After this experiment, female rats were treated for another month to study the influence of ageing and melatonin on the reproductive axis. Plasma LH, FSH, prolactin, oestradiol and progesterone were measured. A positive LH response to GnRH was observed in both control groups (cyclic and acyclic). However, a response of greater magnitude was observed in old acyclic rats. Melatonin treatment reduced this increased response in acyclic rats and produced a pituitary responsiveness similar to that of young cyclic rats. FSH secretion was independent of GnRH administration in all groups, indicating desynchronization between LH and FSH secretion in response to GnRH in young animals and during senescence. No effect on prolactin was observed. Significantly higher LH (3009.11 +/- 1275.08 pg ml(-1); P < 0.05) and FSH concentrations (5879.28 +/- 1631.68 pg ml(-1); P < 0.01) were seen in acyclic control rats. After melatonin treatment, LH (811.11 +/- 89.71 pg ml(-1)) and FSH concentrations (2070 +/- 301.62 pg ml(-1)) decreased to amounts similar to those observed in young cyclic rats. However, plasma concentrations of oestradiol and progesterone were not reduced. In conclusion, the results of the present study indicate that, during ageing, the effect of melatonin is exerted primarily at the hypothalamo-pituitary axis rather than on the ovary. Melatonin restored the basal concentrations of pituitary hormones and pituitary responsiveness to similar values to those observed in young rats.


2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (S1) ◽  
pp. e000127
Author(s):  
Kushali Tanna ◽  
K M Mehariya ◽  
Suchita Munsi ◽  
Charul Pujani

Aims and Objectives: To study an incidence of myocardial dysfunction in neonates admitted with perinatal asphyxia, to find out its correlation with severity of birth asphyxia and its outcome. Methods: This prospective study was conducted among 40 term neonates admitted in NICU of Civil Hospital Ahmedabad who had suffered with perinatal asphyxia (defined by WHO ), resuscitated as per NRP guidelines-2015 including both intramural and extramural admissions and who developed to hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy as defined by Levene staging. Neonates with congenital heart diseases, major central nervous system malformations and neonatal sepsis were excluded. Myocardial involvement was assessed by clinical evaluation, ECG, Creatinine Kinase Total (25-200IU/L), CK-MB (0-25IU/L) and Troponin I (0-0.03ug/L) measurements. Results: Among 40 cases, 10(25%) neonates had moderate birth asphyxia while 30(75%) had severe birth asphyxia. Respiratory distress was observed in 34(77.5%), poor spontaneous respiration 4(10%),shock in 14(35%),CCF 19(47.5%) while ECG was abnormal in 30(76.7%). Serum levels of CPK Total, CPK- MB and Troponin I were raised in 34(85%), 32(80%) and 28 (70%) neonates, respectively.  Conclusion: There was a direct correlation between ECG changes and enzymatic levels which showed increasing abnormalities with increasing with severity of HIE.  


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