title: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) may be a marker of systemic oxidative stress in normotensive and preeclamptic term pregnancies.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Département d'Obstétrique-Gynécologie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke. 3001, 12(e)Avenue Nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada. abdelaziz.kharfi@usherbrooke.ca
authors.forename: Abdelaziz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kharfi
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Giguère
authors.forename: Pierre
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Grandpré
authors.forename: Jean-Marie
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Moutquin
authors.forename: Jean-Claude
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Forest
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D006063:Chorionic Gonadotropin; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide