Highlight Commentary on "Influence of lung oxidant and antioxidant status on alveolarization: role of light-exposed total parenteral nutrition".

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a frequent complication of premature newborns, particularly very low birth-weight babies (< 1500 g). Undoubtedly multiple mechanisms contribute to the adverse outcomes associated with BPD but oxidative stress is one causative factor. In this issue of Free Radical Biology & Medicine, Lavoie et al describe the increased peroxide generation when the multivitamin solution used for nutritional support, total perenteral nutrition (TPN), is exposed to ambient light. Since the premature newborn has limited antioxidant capacity, this increased oxidative burden from the TPN becomes increasingly significant. Infusion of this light-exposed solution in a newborn guinea pig decreased lung tissue vitamin C but vitamin E. When the multivitamin and lipid solutions were mixed and then exposed to light, alveolarization of the developing lung was decreased. This study by Lavoie et al highlights simple measures that may potentially decrease the oxidant burden delivered to this vulnerable population and improve alveolarization.