Changes in Copper, Zinc, and Malondialdehyde Levels and Superoxide Dismutase Activities in Pre-Eclamptic Pregnancies.
BACKGROUND
Preeclampsia (PE) is a hypertensive disorder that occurs in 2% to 8% of pregnancies. Although numerous studies have investigated the etiology and pathophysiology of preeclampsia, the precise pathological mechanisms remain poorly understood. Hence, in the present study malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and SOD expression, and Cu and Zn concentrations and ratios were correlated with birth weights in pregnant women with and without PE, and in non-pregnant females of reproductive age.


METHODS
Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities were determined spectrophotometrically, and Cu and Zn levels were determined using atomic absorption spectrometry in serum from 42 non-pregnant women (NP), 40 healthy pregnant women (HP), and 38 pre-eclamptic pregnant (PE) women. Subsequently, Cu/Zn ratios were calculated and associations with birth weights were analyzed using Spearman correlations.


RESULTS
Cu, Zn, and MDA levels and Cu/Zn ratios were significantly higher in the PE group than in the HP and NP groups, and were significantly higher in the HP than in the NP group (p<0.001 and p<0.001; respectively). In contrast, serum Zn and SOD levels were significantly lower in the PE group than in HP and NP groups, and were significantly lower in the HP group than in the NP group (p<0.001 and p<0.001; respectively). However, only Cu and Zn levels were significantly associated with fetal birth weights (r=-0.433, p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Serum Cu/Zn ratios may reflect vascular complications of PE, and the ensuing increases in lipid peroxidation may play important pathogenic roles.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, School of Medicine, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey.
Murat
M
Bakacak
Department of Biochemistry, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, School of Medicine, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey.
Metin
M
Kılınç
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, School of Medicine, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey.
Salih
S
Serin
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, School of Medicine, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey.
Önder
Ö
Ercan
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, School of Medicine, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey.
Bülent
B
Köstü
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, School of Medicine, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey.
Fazıl
F
Avcı
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, School of Medicine, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey.
Hakan
H
Kıran
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University, School of Medicine, Kahramanmaraş, Turkey.
Gürkan
G
Kıran
D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003300:Copper / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation; D008297:Male; D008315:Malondialdehyde / Q000097:blood*; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase / Q000097:blood*; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood*
D008315:Malondialdehyde; D003300:Copper; D013482:Superoxide Dismutase; D015032:Zinc