Apopitotic effects of dopamine and dobutamine on neutrophils of premature neonates

Abstract

Objective. The apopitotic effects of dopamine and dobutamine used for the treatment of hypotensive premature newborns on neonatal neutrophils were investigated.

Methods. Fifteen premature neonates, gestational age less than 34 weeks and birth weight less than 2500 g, were enrolled into the study. Neutrophils were isolated from the blood samples obtained for routine completed blood count, in the first 72nd hour of life. Neutrophil samples were divided into three tubes as dopamine, dobutamine, and control groups. Dopamine and dobutamine were added at 10⁻⁴ M concentration into two separate tubes as the study groups (dopamine and dobutamine groups) and 0.9 % NaCl was added to the third tube as the control group. Apoptotic neutrophil percentages were measured in the three groups initially (hour 0) and at the first, second, fourth, and sixth hours by flow cytometric analysis.

Results. The mean percentages of neutrophil apoptosis that measured at the beginning was similar in three groups. It was significantly higher in dopamine and dobutamine groups than the control group at the first, second, fourth, and sixth hours (p < 0.0005). It was also significantly higher in dopamine group, than dobutamine group at the first, second, fourth, and sixth hours (p < 0.0005).

Conclusions. Dopamine and dobutamine may have an apoptotic effect on the neutrophils of premature. As neutrophils are numerically and functionally immature in premature infants, have a high risk for infection, these drugs should be used carefully and dobutamine may be preferred if there is no reason for special preference.

Keywords:

• Apoptosis
• dobutamine
• dopamine
• neutrophil
• premature

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