Erythrocyte membrane AChE, Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and Mg²⁺ ATPase activities in mothers and their premature neonates in relation to the mode of delivery

Abstract

Aim. To investigate erythrocyte membrane AChE, Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase and Mg²⁺-ATPase activities in mothers and their full-term or premature newborns in relation to the mode of delivery. Methods. Blood was obtained from mothers pre- and post-delivery and the umbilical cord (CB) of their full-term newborns: Group A₁ (n = 16) born with vaginal delivery (VD), Group B₁ (n = 14) full-terms with scheduled cesarean section (CS), Group A₂ (n = 12) prematures with VD, Group B₂ (n = 14) prematures with CS. Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) and common laboratory tests were measured with routine methods, and the membrane enzyme activities spectrophotometrically. Results. TAS was reduced in mothers post VD and in the CB whereas remained unaltered in CS mothers and their newborns. AChE and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase were increased in mothers post VD. AChE was lower in the CB of prematures than that of full-terms independently of the mode of delivery. Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activity was increased in the groups of mothers post VD and decreased in prematures. The enzyme was higher in prematures with CS than that with VD. Mg²⁺-ATPase activity was unchanged. Conclusion. The increased maternal AChE and Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase activities may be due to the low TAS determined post VD, whereas their decreased activities in prematures to their immaturity.

Key Words::

• AChE
• free radicals
• labor
• Na⁺, K⁺-ATPase
• oxidation
• prematures

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to express their appreciation to the medical students Marianna Almpani, Ioanna Loupasi and Konstantinos M. Zissis for their assistance in manuscript preparation.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflict of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.