Thiol/disulfide homeostasis as a new oxidative stress marker in patients with neonatal transient tachypnea

Aim: Transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN) is the most common cause of respiratory distress occurring in delayed clearance of lung fluid. This is the first report to examine thiol-disulfide homeostasis in patients with TTN.Material and Methods: Thirty TTN and 30 controls were included in the present study. The dynamic thiol-disulfide balance was determined by the new colorimetric method developed by Erel et al. TAS, TOS and OSI levels were evaluated using the previously described method developed by Erel.Results: Thiol levels were found to be significantly lower between patient and the control groups. However, disulfide levels were not significantly higher in the TTN group compared with the control groups. Disulfide/native thiol, disulfide/total thiol and native/total thiol levels were statistically significantly different between the TTN and control groups. Moreover, we found that TAS, TOS and OSI levels were also statistically significantly different between patient and control groups.Discussion: This study indicates that the measurement of dynamic thiol-disulfide homeostasis may contribute to the pathophysiological mechanism, and follow-up of the disease in patients with TTN. In addition, increased TOS and decreased TAS levels may be related with increased oxidative stress and a functional reduction of antioxidant defense system