Lipoperoxidation and antioxidant enzymes activity in pregnancy complicated with hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
To assess maternal circulating levels of lipid peroxidation breakdown products and antioxidant enzymes activity in pregnancies complicated with hypertension.


METHODS
Ten women with uncomplicated pregnancies and nine women with hypertension antedating pregnancy were prospectively sampled. Eight women, who had developed preeclampsia, were also cross-sectionally included. Twenty healthy non pregnant volunteers were the control group. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBA-RS), as lipid peroxidation products, and the activity of catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as antioxidant enzymes, were assayed in red blood cell hemolysates. A prooxidant/antioxidant (P/A) ratio (TBA-RS/CAT + GPX + SOD) was determined from the mean value of the volunteers.


RESULTS
In women with chronic hypertension, TBA-RS levels were higher than those in normal pregnant women, whereas antioxidant enzymes activities were either stable or decreased. Therefore the P/A ratio was progressively lower in the second and third trimester. Similar result were found in patients with preeclampsia.


CONCLUSIONS
Normal gestation induces an increase of lipid peroxidation products, whereas antioxidant activity seems stable. In pregnancies complicated by chronic hypertension, a deficiency of the oxidative system balance is detectable, which consistently progresses in the second and third trimester, strongly suggesting a failure of the protective mechanisms.
Loverro
G
G
University Hospital, Policlimico, Bari, Italy.
Greco
P
P
Capuano
F
F
Carone
D
D
Cormio
G
G
Selvaggi
L
L
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism*; D002374:Catalase / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000201:enzymology*; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D016877:Oxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000201:enzymology*; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors
D000975:Antioxidants; D016877:Oxidants; D017392:Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances; D002374:Catalase; D005979:Glutathione Peroxidase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase