Oxidative stress and normal pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether, in normal pregnancies, there is evidence of oxidative stress that is related to the lipid changes observed in pregnancy.


METHODS
Longitudinal study of healthy women having a normal pregnancy. Samples were obtained towards the end of each trimester and after 8 weeks postpartum.


METHODS
Seventeen healthy women during a normal singleton pregnancy were compared with 12 healthy, non-pregnant women.


METHODS
Oxidative stress was determined by measuring total antioxidant capacity (TAC), uric acid and lipid hydroperoxides (LHP). Lipid status was evaluated by measuring total and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) subfractions.


RESULTS
Pregnancy was associated with decreased TAC and uric acid in the first trimester, which gradually increased during pregnancy, reaching normal values during the postpartum period. LHP significantly increased towards the end of pregnancy. The changes observed in LHP were significantly correlated with increases in LDL subfraction profile.


CONCLUSIONS
Late pregnancy was associated with the formation of susceptible, oxidisable particles (high LDL score) and an increase in oxidative damage. These biochemical changes may be relevant for the long-term cardiovascular health of women, especially those of high parity or those who are at high risk for cardiovascular disease (e.g. women with diabetes).
Toescu
V
V
Division of Medical Sciences, University of Birmingham, UK. v.toescu@bham.ac.uk
Nuttall
S L
SL
Martin
U
U
Kendall
M J
MJ
Dunne
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001161:Arteriosclerosis / Q000097:blood; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008054:Lipid Peroxides / Q000378:metabolism; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000378:metabolism*; D011264:Pregnancy Trimesters; D012306:Risk; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood; D014527:Uric Acid / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D008054:Lipid Peroxides; D014280:Triglycerides; D014527:Uric Acid; D002784:Cholesterol