Oxidation-reduction reactions at pregnant women is the key to forecasting of gestation complications

• Skripnichenko Yu.P.
• Igor I. Baranov
• Mikhail Yu. Vysokikh
• Arslanyan K.N.
• Lyudmila А. Nesterova
• Tsvirkun Dariya V.
• Volodina M.A.
• Pyataeva Sofia V.

Abstract

Background. An imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) and antioxidant system work may lead to structural damage of cells and tissues, inducing a variety of pathological processes. During both normal and complicated pregnancy level of oxidative stress is increased. Resulting ROS and RNS induce cascade of free radical reactions leading to the appearance in blood lipid peroxidation products: malondialdehyde (MDA), 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) and nitrosyl derivatives (PN), which serves as marker of oxidative protein damage.

The aim of this study was to determine the level of the products of the ROS, NOS and antioxidant enzymes in the peripheral blood of pregnant women in different trimesters of pregnancy for preterm labor (PT), preeclampsia (PE), fetal growth retardation (FGR), and physiological pregnancy (PhP).

Materials and methods. Pregnancy and birth outcomes were analyzed in 131 women in 4 groups. Oxidative stress was estimated by measurement of lipid peroxidation product in blood, peroxidation products of proteins, the content of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase activity.

Results. In normal pregnancy the level of MDA and peroxynitrite adducts increases significantly. IN PL group MDA levels did not didn't change during the pregnancy. NP level in the PL group increased during the II trimester. In the PE group oxidative stress increased with the progression of pregnancy. PN level increased in the second trimester. In the FGR group MDA level increased with the progression of pregnancy. PN level decreased in the II trimester and increased it in the III. Increased level of PN and 4-HNE and reduced glutathione level were found in the PT group as compared with PB group. Reduced catalase activity was found in the PE group, and increased catalase activity was found in FGR group as compared with PhP.

Conclusion. Our study has confirmed the increase of the level of oxidative stress during physiological pregnancy. In women with PE and PT complicated pregnancies we observed an increase of oxidative stress products and reduced antioxidant system activity. In women with FGR was observed increased activity of the antioxidant enzyme catalase and lower level of PN in the II trimester and a increase in III trimester. The findings indicate the need for further study of oxidative stress and antioxidant enzyme activities in women with normal and complicated pregnancy.

Keywords:preterm delivery, preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, malondialdehyde, peroxynitrite, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase

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