Clinical Trial: Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) & Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF)-Stimulated Protein Translation in Premature Infants

Study Status: Recruiting
Recruit Status: Recruiting
Study Type: Observational

Official Title: Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) & Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF)-Stimulated Protein Translation in Premature Infants

Brief Summary: This is a prospective in vitro cell biology study of polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) protein synthesis in response to PAF. PMNs from cord blood of premature human infants at risk for NEC (birth weight between 501 - 1500 grams) and PMNs from cord blood of healthy term infants will be isolated and stimulated with PAF, a biologically active phospholipid implicated in the pathogenesis of NEC. NEC, a disease of prematurity with an incidence of 10.1% of infants born weighing between 501 - 1500 grams, is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We will compare the protein synthesis of inflammatory modulators, including Interleukin 6 Receptor alpha (IL-6R alpha) and Retinoic Acid Receptor alpha (RAR alpha) proteins to protein synthesis responses already observed in PMNs isolated from healthy adults. Furthermore, we will characterize the expression and activity of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) translational protein synthesis control pathway in PMNs isolated from preterm and term infants and compare those results with previous observations in PMNs isolated from adults. This pathway is known to regulate IL-6R alpha and RAR alpha protein expression in PMNs isolated from adults. We will also follow those premature infants at risk for NEC clinically to determine which infants develop NEC and what risk factors may be associated with NEC in this population.

Detailed Summary:

Many pediatric diseases including Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS), sepsis, Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) and neonatal Chronic Lung Disease (CLD) have been associated with dysregulation of the acute inflammatory response [1]. So it is with necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). NEC, a disease of premature infants, afflicts 10% of very low birth weight infants. This disease is often fatal [2]. Less significant but nonetheless devastating sequelae include intestinal perforation, short gut syndrome, prolonged total parenteral nutrition with possible concomitant liver failure and a prolonged intensive care unit stay. The etiology remains unknown, although risk factors of prematurity, enteral feeds, infection and intestinal ischemia are associated with NEC [3].

The final common pathway for NEC appears, at least in part, to be mediated through the biologically active phospholipid platelet-activating factor (PAF). Each identified risk factor for NEC increases the serum levels of PAF in premature infants[4, 5]. Furthermore, serum levels of PAF-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH), the enzyme responsible for catabolizing PAF, are lower in premature infants compared to term infants and lower in term infants compared to young children and adults [6, 7]. Although no clinical trials of PAF antagonists have been conducted in premature human infants, various PAF antagonists prevent NEC-like clinical disease in animal models [8-10].

Other data from animal models suggest a prominent role of the polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) in the pathogenesis of NEC. Musemeche et al. induced NEC-like disease in rats by intra-aortic injection of PAF [11]. They used vinblastine, a chemotherapeutic agent with a side-effect profile significant for induction of neutropenia, to induce neutropenia in rats four days prior to intra-aortic injection of
Sponsor: University of Utah

Current Primary Outcome: The incidence and survival of premature infants with NEC, defined prospectively as disease meeting criteria for Bell's classification category IIA or greater [See Table 1] as applied by the subject's attending physician. [ Time Frame: 2 years ]

Original Primary Outcome:

Current Secondary Outcome: Multiple morbidities and other clinical data will be collected and evaluated with respect to NEC and PMN protein analysis [ Time Frame: 2 years ]

Original Secondary Outcome:

Information By: University of Utah

Dates:
Date Received: September 3, 2008
Date Started: October 2003
Date Completion: December 2018
Last Updated: March 9, 2017
Last Verified: March 2017