Oxidative stress and maternal obesity: feto-placental unit interaction.
OBJECTIVE
To determine oxidative stress markers in maternal obesity during pregnancy and to evaluate feto-placental unit interaction, especially predictors of fetal metabolic alterations.


METHODS
40 obese pregnant women (prepregnancy BMI > 30 kg/m²) were compared to 50 control pregnant women. Maternal, cord blood and placenta samples were collected at delivery. Biochemical parameters (total cholesterol and triglycerides) and oxidative stress markers (malondialdehyde, carbonyl proteins, superoxide anion expressed as reduced Nitroblue Tetrazolium, nitric oxide expressed as nitrite, reduced glutathione, catalase, superoxide dismutase) were assayed by biochemical methods.


RESULTS
Maternal, fetal and placental triglyceride levels were increased in obese group compared to control. Maternal malondialdehyde, carbonyl proteins, nitric oxide and superoxide anion levels were high while reduced glutathione concentrations and superoxide dismutase activity were low in obesity. In the placenta and in newborns of these obese mothers, variations of redox balance were also observed indicating high oxidative stress. Maternal and placental interaction constituted a strong predictor of fetal redox variations in obese pregnancies.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal obesity compromised placental metabolism and antioxidant status which strongly impacted fetal redox balance. Oxidative stress may be one of the key downstream mediators that initiate programming of the offspring.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal obesity is associated with metabolic alterations and dysregulation of redox balance in the mother-placenta - fetus unit. These perturbations could lead to maternal and fetal complications and should be carefully considered.
Laboratory of Physiology, Physiopathology and Biochemistry of Nutrition, Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Earth and Universe, University ABOU-BEKR BELKAÏD, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria.
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Malti
Laboratory of Physiology, Physiopathology and Biochemistry of Nutrition, Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Earth and Universe, University ABOU-BEKR BELKAÏD, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria. Electronic address: hafidamerzouk_2@hotmail.com.
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Merzouk
Department of Technical Sciences, Faculty of Engineering, University ABOU-BEKR BELKAÏD, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria.
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Merzouk
Laboratory of Physiology, Physiopathology and Biochemistry of Nutrition, Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Earth and Universe, University ABOU-BEKR BELKAÏD, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria.
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Loukidi
Laboratory of Physiology, Physiopathology and Biochemistry of Nutrition, Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Earth and Universe, University ABOU-BEKR BELKAÏD, Tlemcen 13000, Algeria.
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Karaouzene
Gynecology and Obstetrics Department, Mother - Infant Hospital Center, University of Tlemcen, 13000, Algeria.
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Malti
INSERM UMR 866, 'Lipids Nutrition Cancer', University of Burgundy, Faculty of Life, Earth and Environment Sciences, Dijon 21000, France.
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Narce
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D001798:Blood Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D002374:Catalase / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry*; D005978:Glutathione / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D009765:Obesity / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010920:Placenta / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D013481:Superoxides / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood
D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D011506:Proteins; D014280:Triglycerides; D013481:Superoxides; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D008315:Malondialdehyde; D002784:Cholesterol; D002374:Catalase; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D005978:Glutathione
Mother; Newborn; Obesity; Oxidative stress; Placenta; Pregnancy