Serum vitamin A and E improve neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis through activation of SOD/GPx pathway

Background: Colitis, including necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), is a common and serious disease in newborns. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the specific mechanisms of vitamins A and E in neonatal NEC, given their known roles in inhibiting NF-?B, regulating intestinal flora and reducing inflammatory cytokines. Methods: The study measured serum vitamin A and E levels in healthy and NEC newborns/mice. An NEC model was established and mice were treated with vitamins A/E, DDC (SOD/GPx inhibitor), or DDW (SOD/GPx activator). Serum vitamin levels and intestinal inflammatory factors were then assessed. Results: NEC subjects showed significantly lower vitamin A and E levels, which correlated negatively with disease severity. NEC mice exhibited intestinal pathological damage. Vitamin A or E supplementation alleviated this damage and their combination synergistically activated the SOD/GPx pathway, enhancing anti-inflammatory effects. Further inhibition of inflammation and improvement in symptoms were achieved using the SOD/GPx activator DDW. Conclusion: Vitamins A and E may alleviate NEC potentially by modulating inflammatory responses via the SOD/GPx pathway. The correlation between vitamin levels and disease severity suggests a role in intestinal homeostasis, warranting further investigation into microbiota modulation.