Total Antioxidant Ability and Antioxidant Vitamins in Uterine Venous, Umbilical Venous, and Umbilical Arterial Plasma of Preeclampsia

Kim, Ki Min; Kim, Yoon Ha; Ahn, Bong Whan; Yang, Sung Yeul; Kim, Cheol Hong; Cho, Moon Kyoung; Song, Tae Bok

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study was aimed to investigate lipid peroxide levels, oxygen-radical absorbance capacity (ORAC), and antioxidant vitamin levels in uterine venous plasma, umbilical venous and arterial plasma and to evaluate their roles in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia and effects of oxidative stress on fetus.
METHODS
Samples of uterine venous plasma before and after delivery, umbilical venous and arterial plasma were collected from 18 normal and 16 preeclamptic women between 34 and 38 weeks gestation during Cesarean section. Lipid peroxide levels were measured by thiobarbituric acid reaction. The ORAC values were measured by Cao's method. Ascorbic acid, retinol, alpha-tocopherol, and gamma-tocopherol were measured by high performance liquid chromatography.
RESULTS
1. Lipid peroxide levels in uterine venous plasma before and after delivery of women with preeclampsia were significantly higher than that of women with normal pregnancy (5.56 +/- 0.57 vs. 3.48 +/- 0.29, p<0.01, 5.37 +/- 0.41 vs. 3.93 +/- 0.38 nmol/mg protein, p<0.01). 2. Lipid peroxide levels in umbilical venous and arterial plasma of women with preeclampsia were significantly higher than that of women with normal pregnancy (7.32 +/- 0.55 vs. 5.18 +/- 0.38, p<0.01, 8.21 +/- 0.81 vs. 5.14 +/- 0.39 nmol/mg protein, p<0.01). Lipid peroxide levels in umbilical arterial plasma were significantly higher than that of umbilical venous plasma of women with preeclampsia (8.21 +/- 0.81 vs. 7.32 +/- 0.55 nmol/mg protein, p<0.05). 3. The ORAC values in uterine venous plasma before delivery of women with preeclampsia were significantly lower than that of women with normal pregnancy (10993.8 +/- 622.2 vs. 12596.1 +/- 726.1 U/mL, p<0.05). 4. The ORAC values in umbilical venous plasma of women with preeclampsia were significantly lower than that of women with normal pregnancy (10515.1 +/- 683.4 vs. 12804.6 +/- 463.7 U/mL, p<0.05). 5. Ascorbic acid levels in uterine venous plasma before and after delivery of women with preeclampsia were significantly lower than that of women with normal pregnancy (419.2 +/- 64.6 vs. 551.4 +/- 57.6 nmol/mL, p<0.05, 398.1 +/- 45.2 vs. 450.8 +/- 33.6 nmol/mL, p<0.05). 6. Ascorbic acid levels in umbilical venous plasma of women with preeclampsia were significantly lower than that of women with normal pregnancy (401.8 +/- 47.8 vs. 561.4 +/- 53.1 nmol/mL p<0.05). Uric acid levels in umbilical venous plasma of women with preeclam psia were significantly higher than that of women with normal pregnancy (7789.2 +/- 551.7 vs. 6419.5 +/- 452.2 nmol/mL p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
The above results suggest that increased oxidative stress in uteroplacental unit is involved in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia and ascorbic acid may act as an important preventive factor in the development of preeclampsia.