Abstract
Background: Mitochondria play a crucial role as the main intracellular source of energy. Mitochondria contain cardiolipin, a phospholipid mainly located in the internal membrane of these organelles, which is essential for the functionality of several mitochondrial proteins and is important for ATP synthesis.
Aim: To analyse morphofunctional alterations that occur at the mitochondrial level in a perinatal asphyxia model induced by partial umbilical cord occlusion in foetal lambs. Methods: 15 foetal lambs (80–90% GE) were used. Asphyxia was performed by partial occlusion of umbilical flow during 1h. Lambs were randomly assigned to: Control group, lambs were sacrificed immediately (0h), or managed on intermittent mandatory ventilation (IMV) for 3h; Hipoxic-isquemic (H-I) group, lambs were sacrificed immediately after asphyxia (0h) or managed on IMV for 3h. Mitochondrial membrane damage was determined by measuring the concentration of cardiolipin using the fluorochrome nonyl acridine orange (NAO) by flow cytometry. Cerebral regions were divided into: Cortex, inner zones (striatum, thalamus, hypothalamus, hippocampus), cerebellum and pons. One-factor ANOVA, p<0.05.
Results: Cell stained percentage is summarised in the table:(*)vs. all group
Conclusion: In H-I animals, we can observe a significant decrease in the mitochondrial viability after 3h of resuscitation. Mitochondrial alteration is an early finding of cell damage in brain of asphyctic animals.
Supported by grants: FIS PI03/0987 and RESPIRA net of RITC, FIS C03/11
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Mielgo, V., Alvarez, A., Rey-Santano, M. et al. 244 Brain Mitochondrial Membrane Damage After Asphyxia in Foetal Lambs. Pediatr Res 58, 396 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200508000-00273
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-200508000-00273