Table 1.

Currently used treatments administrated to new born children who experienced perinatal asphyxia

Biological factor	In vivo function	Natural source
Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)—a long-chain omega-3 fatty acid	Sustains membrane fluidity and integrity; contributes to the synaptic functioning; an anti-inflammatory compound	Maternal milk during breast-feeding period; sea fish (like tuna, salmon, herring, sardines) caviar, algae
Resveratrol (3,5,4′-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene)	Enhances endogenous anti-oxidative defense	Skin of grapes, blueberries, raspberries, red wine, peanuts, dark chocolate
Sodium butyrate	Histone deacetylase inhibitor, regulates gene expression through NF-kappaB cascade; reduces expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, stimulates neurogenesis; protects oligodendrocytes	Produced from dietary fiber in the gut by endogenous bacteria as the end-product of intestinal microbial fermentation; milk fat (so also in butter and cheese)
Erythropoietin (EPO, hematopoietin)	Indispensable for erythropoiesis, enhance angiogenesis, exerts neuroregenerative, anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects	Hormone produced by interstitial fibroblasts in the kidney
Melatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxy tryptamine)	Direct anti-oxidative, anti-apoptotic and anti-inflammatory effects; protects myelin structure	Hormone secreted predominantly by pineal gland
Triiodothyronine (T3) and its prohormone, thyroxine (T4)	Engaged in physiological process of oligodendrocyte maturation; promotes in vivo remyelination	Hormones produced by the thyroid gland
Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)	Used for cell replacement, provide trophic support to diseased tissue, exert anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective effect	Bone marrow, umbilical cord (cord blood and Wharton’s jelly), adipose tissue, etc.