Evaluation of Antioxidant Activity of Oral Lutein in Preterm and Term Newborn

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The balance of the redox state is important for normal embryonic and fetal development . During the perinatal period, a variety of conditions are responsible for an excessive production of free radicals. The following oxidative stress is exacerbated by a lack of antioxidant substances that have not yet matured. At the moment there are no therapeutic strategies with single or combined antioxidants that have been shown to be clinically effective. Breastfeeding is important for the contribution of the antioxidant defenses of the newborn and the nutritional status of the mother plays a key role because it influences the nutritional status of the newborn. Lutein is a carotenoid that is not produced by the body , but taken with food or supplements. The molecule carries out different activities : antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer , neuroprotective. Its main activity of inhibition of peroxidation of membrane lipids is peculiarly important for the photoreceptors and neurons whose membranes are rich with polyunsaturated fatty acids. Current evidence on its role as an antioxidant indicate that supplementation with lutein may play a significant role in the prevention of free radical disease in the newborn

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