Circulating markers of oxidative stress are raised in normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether circulating markers of oxidative stress are elevated in pre-eclampsia when appropriate precautions are taken to prevent in vitro oxidation


METHODS
A prospective study.


METHODS
Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oxford and The William Harvey Institute, London.


METHODS
Three groups of women: those with pre-eclampsia (n = 19), control pregnant women (n = 19) matched for gestation, age and parity and a group of non pregnant individuals of reproductive age (n = 7).


METHODS
Citrated plasma was stored at -80 degrees C with 20 micromol beta hydroxytoluene to prevent auto-oxidation. Plasma samples were assayed for levels of 8 epi-prostaglandin F2alpha, lipid hydroperoxides, malondialdehyde and also the lipid soluble antioxidant vitamin E.


RESULTS
There were no differences in 8 epi-prostaglandin F2alpha, lipid peroxide or malondialdehyde levels between the groups of women with pre-eclampsia and those acting as pregnant controls. However, lipid hydroperoxides and malondialdehyde were significantly raised in both pre-eclampsia and normal pregnancy, compared with nonpregnant women. Vitamin E levels were similar in women with pre-eclampsia and those with a normal pregnancy, but in both groups levels were significantly higher than in nonpregnant women.


CONCLUSIONS
Circulating markers of oxidative stress are raised in normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia.
Morris
J M
JM
Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headington, Oxford, UK.
Gopaul
N K
NK
Endresen
M J
MJ
Knight
M
M
Linton
E A
EA
Dhir
S
S
Anggård
E E
EE
Redman
C W
CW
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D015237:Dinoprost / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000032:analysis; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000032:analysis; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000097:blood; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000032:analysis
D015415:Biomarkers; D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D014810:Vitamin E; C075750:8-epi-prostaglandin F2alpha; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D015237:Dinoprost