Lipid peroxidation, Total Peroxyl Radical-Trapping Ability, and Antioxidant Vitamin Levels in Maternal Venous Plasma of Preterm Premature Rupture of Membranes

Kim, Yoon Ha; Ahn, Bong Whan; Yang, Sung Yeul; Kim, Cheol Hong; Cho, Moon Kyoung; Lee, Kwang Su; Kim, Seok Mo; Song, Tae Bok

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to investigate lipid peroxide levels, total peroxyl radical-trapping antioxidative parameter (TRAP) values, and antioxidant vitamin levels in the maternal venous blood plasma of preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) and to evaluate their roles of pathophysiology in PPROM.
METHODS
Samples of maternal blood were obtained from women with normal pregnancy (n=23) and PPROM (n=20). Lipid peroxide levels of maternal venous blood plasma were measured by thiobarbituric acid reaction. The TRAP value of maternal venous blood plasma was measured by Wayner's method, although some reaction conditions were modified. Ascorbic acid and uric acid were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) CoulArray detector of water-soluble antioxidants. Retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and gamma-tocopherol were measured by HPLC-CoulArray detector of fat-soluble vitamins
RESULTS
Lipid peroxide levels in the maternal venous blood plasma of PPROM were significantly higher than that of normal pregnancy (3.87 +/- 0.24 vs. 3.04 +/- 0.24 nmol/mg protein, p<0.05). TRAP values in the maternal venous blood plasma of PPROM were significantly lower than that of normal pregnancy (0.33 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.40 +/- 0.02 mM, p<0.05). Ascorbic acid levels in the maternal venous blood plasma of PPROM were significantly lower than that of normal pregnancy (383.8 +/- 47.5 vs. 563.3 +/- 73.8 nmol/mg, p<0.05). There were no significant differences in maternal venous blood plasma uric acid, retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and gamma-tocopherol levels between two groups.
CONCLUSION
This findings suggest that the imbalance of increased lipid peroxidation and decreased antioxidant activity in maternal blood may be involved in the pathophysiology of PPROM. Low levels of ascorbic acid in maternal blood appears to be an important determinant of PPROM.