Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) may be a marker of systemic oxidative stress in normotensive and preeclamptic term pregnancies.
OBJECTIVE
In vitro studies on placental function have revealed interactions between levels of secretion of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) by trophoblastic cells and oxidative stress generated by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Here, we have examined the relationship between maternal levels of hCG and H2O2 in vivo in term pregnancies with and without preeclampsia.


METHODS
We measured serum levels of hCG and H2O2 in twenty preeclamptic and twenty normotensive term pregnant women (controls), using an enzymatic immunoassay and an electrochemical method, respectively.


RESULTS
Higher levels of serum hCG and H2O2 were observed in patients with preeclampsia in comparison to controls. A significant positive correlation between serum hCG concentration and H2O2 production was found.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results show that: (1) systemic hCG levels are correlated with an oxidative stress state in term pregnant women with preeclampsia and (2) circulating hCG may be a monitoring tool of oxidative stress during pregnancy.
Kharfi
Abdelaziz
A
Département d'Obstétrique-Gynécologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke. 3001, 12(e)Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada. abdelaziz.kharfi@usherbrooke.ca
Giguère
Yves
Y
De Grandpré
Pierre
P
Moutquin
Jean-Marie
JM
Forest
Jean-Claude
JC
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin / Q000097:blood*; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000097:blood; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011247:Pregnancy
D015415:Biomarkers; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide