DHA Reduces Oxidative Stress Following Hypoxia-Ischemia in Newborn Piglets: a Study of Lipid Peroxidation Products in Urine and Plasma

AbstractBackground:Lipid peroxidation mediated by reactive oxygen species is a major contributor to oxidative stress. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has anti-oxidant and neuroprotective properties. Our objective was to assess how oxidative stress measured by lipid peroxidation was modified by DHA in a newborn piglet model of hypoxia-ischemia (HI).Methods:Fifty-five piglets were randomized to (i) hypoxia, (ii) DHA, (iii) hypothermia, (iv) hypothermia+DHA or (v) sham. All groups but sham were subjected to hypoxia by breathing 8% O2. DHA was administered 210 min after end of hypoxia and the piglets were euthanized 9.5 h after end of hypoxia. Urine and blood were harvested at these two time points and analyzed for F4-neuroprostanes, F2-isoprostanes, neurofuranes and isofuranes using UPLC-MS/MS.Results:F4-neuroprostanes in urine were significantly reduced (P=0.006) in groups receiving DHA. Hypoxia (median, IQR 1652 nM, 610–4557) vs. DHA (440 nM, 367–738, P=0.016) and hypothermia (median, IQR 1338 nM, 744–3085) vs. hypothermia+DHA (356 nM, 264–1180, P=0.006). The isoprostane compound 8-iso-PGF2α was significantly lower (P=0.011) in the DHA group compared to the hypoxia group. No significant differences were found between the groups in blood.Conclusion:DHA significantly reduces oxidative stress by measures of lipid peroxidation following HI in both normothermic and hypothermic piglets.