RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury has been reported after perinatal asphyxia in full-term neonates. OBJECTIVES: To examine the role of excessive nitric oxide production in perinatal spinal cord injury. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Tissue samples of 18 full-term neonates who died of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy were analyzed for the presence of nitrotyrosine (NT). RESULTS: NT was demonstrated in 5 of these 18 neonates. In addition, activated caspase 3, a marker of apoptosis, and CD68, as a marker of inflammation, could be demonstrated in some infants. CONCLUSIONS: excessive nitric oxide production and subsequent NT formation is seen in spinal cord tissue after severe perinatal asphyxia. This finding may be relevant for the development of neuroprotective strategies.
