Maternal antioxidant concentrations after uncomplicated pregnancies.
BACKGROUND
To analyse the post-partum concentrations of intra- and extra-cellular blood antioxidants in women with uncomplicated pregnancies.


METHODS
Whole blood and plasma thiols, plasma vitamin E and C, serum cholesterol and triglyceride, ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) concentrations were compared between women delivered by caesarean section (n=17) or spontaneous delivery (n=10). A repeated mixed model was used for statistical analysis.


RESULTS
The majority of whole blood thiols increased significantly in both groups the first days post-partum. However, within the caesarean group free cysteine, oxidised cysteine, homocysteine and glutathione and plasma cysteine and homocysteine levels dropped significantly after 24 h, while FRAP levels peaked significantly in this group. Plasma vitamin E levels decreased significantly in both groups within 24 to 48 h after delivery. Independent of the way of delivery whole blood and plasma thiols were significantly increased and vitamin E levels were significantly decreased 3 months post-partum while plasma vitamin C levels and FRAP were unchanged compared to ante-partum levels.


CONCLUSIONS
Decreased plasma vitamin E levels shortly post-partum are associated with decreased lipid peroxidation. The 24 h post-partum drop of some plasma and whole blood thiols in the caesarean group may be due to prolonged fasting.
Roes
Eva Maria
EM
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University Medical Center Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
Raijmakers
Maarten T M
MT
Hendriks
Jan C M
JC
Langeslag
Marloes
M
Peters
Wilbert H M
WH
Steegers
Eric A P
EA
D000328:Adult; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000097:blood; D003545:Cysteine / Q000097:blood; D005215:Fasting; D005260:Female; D005978:Glutathione / Q000097:blood; D006710:Homocysteine / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009035:Mothers; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010100:Oxygen / Q000378:metabolism; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000097:blood
D000975:Antioxidants; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D006710:Homocysteine; D014810:Vitamin E; D005978:Glutathione; D003545:Cysteine; D001205:Ascorbic Acid; D010100:Oxygen