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Research Communication

Dietary Nucleotide Supplementation Raises Erythrocyte 2,3-Diphosphoglycerate Concentration in Neonatal Rats

F. Scopesi*³, C. M. Verkeste, D. Paola**, D. Gazzolo*, M. A. Pronzato**, P. L. Bruschettini## and U. M. Marinari**

^* Department of Neonatology University of Genova, G. Gaslini Institute, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Universiteit Maastricht, Maastricht, The Netherlands and ^** General Pathology and ^## Department of Pediatrics, G. Gaslini Institute, Genova, Italy

The present study was designed to test if dietary intake of nucleotides increases erythrocyte 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG) in neonatal rats. To this end, rat pups were fed a nucleotide-supplemented formula (S, n = 14) from d 9 until d 16 after birth. The results were compared with those obtained from a group of breast-fed pups (C, n = 14) and a group of pups artificially fed with nucleotide-free formula (NS, n = 14). Neonatal weight, 2,3-DPG concentration, hematocrit (Hct) and hemoglobin concentration (Hb) were determined before the experiment (d 9) and after 7 d of treatment (d 16). In all groups, 2,3-DPG concentration was greater at d 16 than d 9, and the increase was greater in the S group than in the NS group. Alterations in neonatal weight, Hct and Hb concentration did not differ among the groups. On d 16 the 2,3-DPG/Hb ratio, reflecting the affinity of hemoglobin for oxygen, was significantly higher in the C and S groups than in the NS group. We conclude that in neonatal rats, dietary nucleotides increase erythrocyte 2,3-DPG concentration. Studies need to be conducted in humans to assess the effect of this increase on both neonatal peripheral hemodynamics and metabolism in this species.

KEY WORDS: • artificial feeding • nucleotides • erythrocyte • oxygen affinity • rats