Hypercapnia- and trans-arachidonic acid-induced retinal microvascular degeneration: implications in the genesis of retinopathy of prematurity

Oxidative Stress Implication in Retinal Diseases-A Review

Oxidative stress (OS) refers to an imbalance between free radicals (FRs), namely highly reactive molecules normally generated in our body by several pathways, and intrinsic antioxidant capacity. When FR levels overwhelm intrinsic antioxidant defenses, OS occurs, inducing a series of downstream chemical reactions. Both reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are produced by numerous chemical reactions that take place in tissues and organs and are then eliminated by antioxidant molecules. In particular, the scientific literature focuses more on ROS participation in the pathogenesis of diseases than on the role played by RNS. By its very nature, the eye is highly exposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVR), which is directly responsible for increased OS. In this review, we aimed to focus on the retinal damage caused by ROS/RNS and the related retinal pathologies. A deeper understanding of the role of oxidative and nitrosative stress in retinal damage is needed in order to develop targeted therapeutic interventions to slow these pathologies.

Oxidative Stress Markers and the Retinopathy of Prematurity

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a leading cause of potentially preventable blindness in low birth weight preterm infants. Several perinatal and postnatal factors contribute to the incomplete maturation of retinal vascularization, leading to oxidative stress damage. Literature data suggest that the lack of equilibrium between pro-oxidants and anti-oxidants plays a key role. In the last decade, there has been an increasing interest in identifying the antecedents of ROP and the relevant pathogenic mechanisms involved. In this context, a panel of biomarkers was investigated in order to achieve early detection of oxidative stress occurrence and to prevent retinal damage. Several nutritional elements have been found to play a relevant role in ROP prevention. At this stage, no conclusive data have been shown to support the usefulness of one biomarker over another. Recently, the Food and Drugs Administration, the European Medicine Agency, and the National Institute of Health proposed a series of criteria in order to promote the inclusion of new biomarkers in perinatal clinical guidelines and daily practice. The aim of the present review is to offer an update on a panel of biomarkers, currently investigated as potential predictors of ROP, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses.

Alteration of erythrocyte membrane polyunsaturated fatty acids in preterm newborns with retinopathy of prematurity

Extremely preterm infants are at high risk for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), a potentially blinding disease characterized by abnormalities in retinal vascularization. Whereas animal studies revealed that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may be of benefit in preventing ROP, human studies conducted on preterm infants during the 1^st weeks of life showed no association between blood n-3 PUFA bioavailability and ROP incidence and/or severity, probably because of the influence of nutrition on the lipid status of infants. In the OmegaROP prospective cohort study, we characterized the erythrocyte concentrations of PUFAs in preterm infants aged less than 29 weeks gestational age (GA) without any nutritional influence. We show that GA is positively associated with the erythrocyte n-6 to n-3 PUFA ratio, and particularly with the ratio of arachidonic acid (AA) to docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), in infants with ROP. A time-dependent accumulation of AA at the expense of DHA seems to occur in utero in erythrocytes of preterm infants who will develop ROP, thus reinforcing previous data on the beneficial properties of DHA on this disease. In addition, preliminary data on maternal erythrocyte membrane lipid concentrations suggest modifications in placental transfer of fatty acids. Documenting the erythrocyte AA to DHA ratio at birth in larger cohorts might be useful to set up new prognostic factors for ROP.

Carbon dioxide and retinopathy of prematurity in extremely low birth weight infants

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PCO₂) during the first 3 days of life and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in extremely low birthweight (ELBW) infants.Patients and methods: A retrospective evaluation of data on ELBW infants were collected over a period of 4 years. Data during the first 72 hours of life was divided into six, 12-hour epochs. The average highest and overall means of PCO₂, PO₂, FiO_2, and glucose were calculated for each epoch. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between PCO₂ and ROP after controlling for covariables.Results: A total of 78 neonates were included: birth weight (BW) (703 ± 157 g) and gestational age (25 ± 1.4 weeks). A total of 45 out of 78 had ROP: stage 1 (N = 8), stage 2 (N = 26), stage 3 (N = 14), and plus (N = 4). The overall mean PCO₂ correlated with ROP in the first 72 hours of life (R = 0.31, p = .0069). This correlation was significant in epochs 2 (p = .049), 4 (p = .008) and 6 (p = .038). The average of the highest PCO₂ also correlated with ROP in the first 72 hours of life (R = 0.38, p = .0007). This correlation was significant in epochs 2 (p = .0115), 4 (p = .0011), 5 (p = .028) and 6 (p = .037). The correlation between the stage of ROP and PCO₂ was significant after controlling for PO₂ and glucose concentrations. Other variables that correlated with ROP were the overall means of FiO₂ (R = 0.23, p = .04), PO₂ (R = 0.39, p = .0005) and glucose (R = 0.39, p = .0004) as well as the average highest concentrations of FiO₂ (R = 0.26, p = .025), PO₂ (R = 0.38, p = .0008) and glucose (R = 0.34, p = .007).Conclusion: After controlling for confounding variables, ROP correlated with the overall means and average highest PCO₂. ROP also correlated with FiO₂, PO₂ and glucose concentrations. Further studies are needed to define the safe PCO₂ range and the effect of PCO₂ on the normal development of the retina.

The progress of prophylactic treatment in retinopathy of prematurity

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a retinal vascular disorder frequently found in premature infants. Different therapeutic strategies have been developed to treat ROP. However, there are still many children with ROP suffering by severe limitations in vision or even blindness. Recently, ROP has been suggested to be caused by abnormal development of the retinal vasculature, but not simply resulted by retinal neovascularization which takes about 4 to 6wk after birth in premature infants. Thus, instead of focusing on how to reduce retinal neovascularization, understanding the pathological changes and mechanisms that occur prior to retinal neovascularization is meaningful, which may lead to identify novel target(s) for the development of novel strategy to promote the healthy growth of retinal blood vessels rather than passively waiting for the appearance of retinal neovascularization and removing it by force. In this review, we discussed recent studies about, 1) the pathogenesis prior to retinal neovascularization in oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR; a ROP in animal model) and in premature infants with ROP; 2) the preclinical and clinical research on preventive treatment of early OIR and ROP. We will not only highlight the importance of the mechanisms and signalling pathways in regulating early stage of ROP but also will provide guidance for actively exploring novel mechanisms and discovering novel treatments for early phase OIR and ROP prior to retinal neovascularization in the future.

[Risk of accumulation of CO₂ in the oxygen chamber in "HOOD" (Experimental study on test bed)]

OBJECTIVES

Oxygen hood is largely used to deliver O₂ to newborn infants with respiratory failure in the northern region of France. The oxygen flow is set to obtain the target arterial blood oxygen saturation. Thus, O₂ flow delivers into the hood may be below the recommended gas flow of 6L/min. However, gas flow below 6L/min exposes to CO₂ rebreathing. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of various rates of gas flows on the values of partial pressure of CO₂ into the hood.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We measured CO₂ and O₂ partial pressure into hoods of two different volumes (4 and 10L) under two experimental bench test conditions. Protocol 1: gas flow was constant at 6L/min, while oxygen fraction varied from 0.21 to 1. Partial pressure of CO₂ and O₂ were recorded. Protocol 2: while O₂ fraction was kept constant, oxygen flow varied from 0.5 to 7L/min (by step of 0.5L/min). Partial pressure of CO₂ and O₂ were recorded.

RESULTS

Partial pressure of CO₂ increases proportionally to the decrease in the gas flow delivered into the hood, and reached 14 mmHg at gas flow of 0.5L/min.

CONCLUSION

Risk of CO₂ rebreathing exists as soon as the gas is delivered into the hood at minimal flow rates below 6L/min.

Lipid metabolites in the pathogenesis and treatment of neovascular eye disease

Lipids and lipid metabolites have long been known to play biological roles that go beyond energy storage and membrane structure. In age-related macular degeneration and diabetes, for example, dysregulation of lipid metabolism is closely associated with disease onset and progression. At the same time, some lipids and their metabolites can exert beneficial effects in the same disorders. This review summarises our current knowledge of the contributions of lipids to both the pathogenesis and treatment of neovascular eye disease. The clinical entities covered are exudative age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy and retinopathy of prematurity, with a special emphasis on the potential therapeutic effects of ω3- (also known as n-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Establishing gas exchange and improving oxygenation in the delivery room management of the lung

One of the components of promoting good outcomes in high-risk neonates is supporting normal gas exchange while avoiding lung injury. Respiratory care in the first hour following birth plays an important role in stabilizing the infant with respiratory problems. The goal of this article is to review the causes of lung injury that can occur in the first hour and that could be prevented with careful respiratory support.

Hypercapnia and the neonate

'Permissive hypercapnia' is a familiar term in neonatal intensive care, given the widespread adoption of low-tidal-volume ventilation strategies applied with the goal of decreasing respiratory morbidity. Recent evidence suggesting that hypercapnic acidosis may itself have protective effects on the lung and other organs has led to the coining of a new phrase, 'therapeutic hypercapnia', which also encompasses the use of supplemental inspired CO(2).

CONCLUSION

Experimental evidence suggests that mild-moderate hypercapnia can improve tissue oxygenation and perfusion, which may ameliorate injury to the immature lung and brain. However, hypercapnia may also be associated with adverse outcomes, and the range of PaCO(2) levels that are both safe and effective for specific subsets of neonates has yet to be determined.