We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
Cholesterol dynamics in the foetal and neonatal brain as reflected by circulatory levels of 24S-hydroxycholesterol.
- Authors
Lütjohann, D; Björkhem, I; Locatelli, S; Dame, C; Schmolling, J; Von Bergmann, K; Fahnenstich, H; Lütjohann, D; Björkhem, I
- Abstract
<bold>Unlabelled: </bold>Oxysterols, particularly those hydroxylated in the steroid side-chain, are formed from cholesterol by specific cytochrome P450 enzymes and may facilitate elimination of cholesterol from extrahepatic sources. In humans, the greatest portion of circulating 24S-hydroxycholesterol (24S-OH-Chol) is derived from the brain and the absolute concentration depends on age. In the present study, concentrations of 24S-OH-Chol and for comparison 27-OH-Chol were determined by a highly sensitive isotope dilution method using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in serum samples from normal preterm and term neonates and those with Rhesus haemolytic disease, taken serially for diagnostic purposes. Serum concentrations of cholesterol, 24S-OH-Chol and 27-OH-Chol were similar in venous versus arterial cord blood of 6 term neonates. Serum concentrations of 24S-OH-Chol and 27-OH-Chol in 12 small for gestational age (SGA) preterm neonates were significantly lower than those in 12 appropriate for gestational age (AGA) preterm neonates (p < 0.001), and also lower than those in 12 SGA (0 < 0.001) and 12 AGA term neonates (p < 0.05). Serum cholesterol was significantly higher in preterm than in term neonates (p < 0.001). 24S-OH-Chol serially determined in 8 infants with Rhesus haemolytic disease increased 5-6-fold during the first 3 mo after birth (from 42 +/- 20 ng ml(-1) to 227 +/- 71 ng ml(-1)). 27-OH-Chol increased simultaneously from 30 +/- 14 ng ml(-1) to 100 +/- 39 ng ml(-1).<bold>Conclusion: </bold>Serum concentrations of 24S-OH-Chol increased 5-6-fold after birth. This could be an indication of normal cholesterol metabolism in the developing neonatal brain.
- Subjects
CHOLESTEROL; CYTOCHROMES; OXYSTEROLS
- Publication
Acta Paediatrica, 2001, Vol 90, Issue 6, p652
- ISSN
0803-5253
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.1111/j.1651-2227.2001.tb02429.x