Korean J Perinatol.  2009 Mar;20(1):17-26.

Changes of antioxidant levels in the uterine venous plasma amniotic fluid, and chorioamnion after maternal supplementation with vitamin C and vitamin E

• Yang JS
• Kim YH
• Kim CH
• Cho MK
• Kim JW
• Cho HY
• Yang SY
• Ahn BW
• Nam JH
• Song TB

Abstract

PURPOSE:To investigate the change in the antioxidant vitamin levels in maternal uterine venous plasma (MUVP), amniotic fluid (AF), and chorioamnion after vitamin C and E supplementation during pregnancy.
METHODS
Thirty pregnant women who were scheduled for elective cesarean section between 37 and 39 gestational weeks were randomized in this study. Fifteen women were given a daily oral dose of vitamin C 1,000 mg and vitamin E 400 IU from 33~34 gestational weeks to delivery. The other fifteen women were not given, as a control group. Maternal uterine venous blood, AF, and chorioamnion were obtained after cesarean section. Lipid peroxides and oxygen-radical absorbance capacity value were measured by thiobarbituric acid reaction and Cao's method respectively. Ascorbic acid, uric acid, beta-carotene, retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and gamma-tocopherol were measured by high performance liquid chromatography. The tissue sections of chorioamnion were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and Masson-trichrome stain, and immunohistochemical stain for collagen type IV was also performed.
RESULTS
The lipid peroxide levels in MUVP of the study group were significantly lower than those of the control group but in contrast, ORAC (Oxygen-radical absorbance capacity) values were lower in the control group. The alpha-tocopherol levels in MUVP, AF, and chorioamnion study group were significantly higher than those of the control group. Amniotic membrane and subepithelial stromal tissue in the study group were thicker than those in the control group. And subchorionic type IV collagen of placenta tissue in the study group was more stained than that of the control group.
CONCLUSION
Maternal vitamin C and E supplementation may be beneficial in the prevention of diseases caused by oxidative stress such as preeclampsia and PROM and in increasing fibrin and type IV collagen in chorioamnion.

Keyword

Antioxidant levels; Uterine venous plasma; Amniotic fluid; Chorioamnion; Vitamin supplementation

MeSH Terms

alpha-Tocopherol
Amnion
Amniotic Fluid
Ascorbic Acid
beta Carotene
Cesarean Section
Chromatography, Liquid
Collagen Type IV
Female
Fibrin
gamma-Tocopherol
Humans
Lipid Peroxides
Oxidative Stress
Placenta
Plasma
Pre-Eclampsia
Pregnancy
Pregnant Women
Thiobarbiturates
Uric Acid
Vitamin A
Vitamin E
Vitamins
Ascorbic Acid
Collagen Type IV
Fibrin
Lipid Peroxides
Thiobarbiturates
Uric Acid
Vitamin A
Vitamin E
Vitamins
alpha-Tocopherol
beta Carotene
gamma-Tocopherol