title: Bacterial vaginosis and biomarkers of oxidative stress in amniotic fluid.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study we tried to determine if the activities of the primary antioxidant enzymes are detectable in amniotic fluid and if they can be used as early biomarkers of complications in pregnancy connected with bacterial vaginosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective study in which amniotic fluid was taken between 16 and 19 weeks of gestation. 161 pregnant women were divided into two groups: study group--patients with the treated local infection and control group--healthy pregnant women. Levels of reduced glutathione, and the activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione S-transferase, xanthine oxidase, superoxide dismutase and lipid peroxidation were determined spectrophotometrically in amniotic fluid samples.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Concentration of malonyldialdehide (product of lipid peroxidation) varied greatly between investigated groups. Xanthine oxidase and superoxide dismutase activities, though very low, were present in amniotic fluid samples. Also, enzymes of glutathione cycle and reduced glutathione concentrations were detectable and showed certain variations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Although, biomarkers of antioxidant activity are present in the amniotic fluid, they are not different between women with and without bacterial vaginosis.
authors.affiliation: Vojvodina Clinical Centre, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Novi Sad, Serbia. mbogavac@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mirjana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bogavac
authors.forename: Neda
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lakic
authors.forename: Natasa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Simin
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nikolic
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sudji
authors.forename: Biljana
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bozin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000378:metabolism*; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000201:enzymology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers