LIPID PEROXIDATION AND ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY AMONG PREECLAMPTIC WOMEN IN OSOGBO, NIGERIA

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite the volume of knowledge and daily reports on pre-eclampsia, it
still remains one of the major causes of death resulting from complications of pregnancy.
There are suggestions to explain the aetiopathotogenesis of pre-eclampsia out of which none
has been fully ascertained. Oxidative stress injury is one of the recently
suggestedpathogenetic mechanisms in which the study of pattern of changes of oxidants and
antioxidants are studied throughout the period of pregnancy.
AIM: This study was designed to determine pattern of changes in malonaldehyde (product of
lipid peroxidation), antioxidant enzymes (Superoxide Dismutase, Glutathione Peroxidase)
and antioxidant vitamins (vitamins C and E) in pre-eclamptic Nigerian women
METHODOLOGY: A Total of 100 subjects each for pre-eclamptic, apparently normal and
non pregnant women were finally qualified for the study. Venous blood samples were taken
in second and third trimesters of pregnancy and at the point of contact for non pregnant
women. Second trimester samples were taken at 20 weeks of gestation and above. Both
enzymatic and non enzymatic antioxidants were analyzed using commercially manufactured
kits and index of lipid peroxidation, malonaldehyde, was analyzed using the method of Satoh
et al. Variables were analyzed using SPSS version 16, taking level of significance to be 0.05
RESULTS :
The highest levels of MDA were seen in the pre-eclamptic subjects while the lowest levels
were seen in the non pregnant subjects. Plasma MDA in the third trimester of normal
pregnancy (2.03±0.71µmol/l) was found to be higher than in the second trimester
(1.65±0.62µmol/l). The difference was not statistically significant (p<0.0001). For pre
eclamptic subjects, the MDA in the third trimester (3.13±0.61µmol/l) was higher than in the
second trimester (3.00±1.21µmol/l), but the difference was not statistically significant
Glutathione peroxidase levels were highest in non pregnant subjects and lowest in the pre
eclamptic subjects. Glutathione peroxidase in the third trimester of normal pregnancy
(3339.50±1733.80U/L) was found to be higher than inthe second trimester
(3023.50±1115.90U/L), though the difference was not statistically significant.(p=0.131). For
pre-eclamptic subjects, the glutathione peroxidase levels were significantly higher in the third
trimester (2804.11±1573.00U/L) as compared to the second trimester (2655.00±1751.30U/L),
p= 0.0001
The highest levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) were found in the subjects with normal
pregnancy while the lowest values were found in the non-pregnant subjects. Mean superoxide
dismutase activity was lower in the third trimester of normal pregnancy (110.40±59.47U/ml)
when compared to the mean value in the second trimester (153.01±71.85U/ml). This
difference was statistically significant (p<0.0001). Superoxide dismutase was also lower in
the third trimester of pre-eclamptic pregnancy when compared to second trimester
(110.40±59.47 Vs 118.01±64.41 U/ml), this difference wasstatistically significant (p<0.039)
Mean vitamin C values were highest in the non-pregnant (NonP) subjects
(41.00±23.24µmol/l) and lowest in the pre-eclamptic (PE) subjects. The mean vitamin C
values for subjects with normal pregnancy (NP) were similar in second and third trimesters
(38.25±19.66 Vs 38.66±19.40;p=0.882). For subjects with pre-eclampsia, the mean vit C
values were also similar in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters (35.05±18.37 Vs
37.20±24.44µmol/l;p=0.175)
Mean plasma Vit E values were highest in the non–pregnant (NonP) subjects and lowest in
subjects with pre-eclampsia (PE). However,the values for the 2nd and 3rd trimesters were
similar for subjects with normal pregnancy (NP) and those with pre-eclampsia(PE) with the
difference not being statistically significant

CONCLUSION.
The results of this study suggest an increased level of lipid peroxidation in subjects with pre
eclampsia as evidenced by increased levels of MDA. The results further suggest increased
oxidative stress in pre-eclampsia as evidenced by the low serum levels of antioxidants and
antioxidant enzymes. It is therefore concluded that there is increased lipid peroxidation and
oxidative stress among pre-eclamptic pregnant women in Osogbo, Nigeria

LIPID PEROXIDATION AND ANTIOXIDANT CAPACITY AMONG PREECLAMPTIC WOMEN IN OSOGBO, NIGERIA