COVID-19 during Gestation: Maternal Implications of Evoked Oxidative Stress and Iron Metabolism Impairment.

Jorge Moreno-Fernandez,Catalina De Paco Matallana,Javier Diaz-Castro,Julio J Ochoa,Lucia Diaz-Meca,Juan M Toledano,María Paz Carrillo,Susana Ruiz-Duran,Maria Puche-Juarez,Sonia Prados,Africa Caño,Javier Sanchez-Romero,Estefania Martín-Alvarez

doi:10.3390/antiox11020184

Abstract

COVID-19 has reached pandemic proportions worldwide, with considerable consequences for both health and the economy. In pregnant women, COVID-19 can alter the metabolic environment, iron metabolism, and oxygen supply of trophoblastic cells, and therefore have a negative influence on essential mechanisms of fetal development. The purpose of this study was to investigate, for the first time, the effects of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy with regard to the oxidative/antioxidant status in mothers’ serum and placenta, together with placental iron metabolism. Results showed no differences in superoxide dismutase activity and placental antioxidant capacity. However, antioxidant capacity decreased in the serum of infected mothers. Catalase activity decreased in the COVID-19 group, while an increase in 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine, hydroperoxides, 15-FT-isoprostanes, and carbonyl groups were recorded in this group. Placental vitamin D, E, and Coenzyme-Q10 also showed to be increased in the COVID-19 group. As for iron-related proteins, an up-regulation of placental DMT1, ferroportin-1, and ferritin expression was recorded in infected women. Due to the potential role of iron metabolism and oxidative stress in placental function and complications, further research is needed to explain the pathogenic mechanism of COVID-19 that may affect pregnancy, so as to assess the short-term and long-term outcomes in mothers’ and infants’ health.

Highlights

Introduction distributed under the terms andNovel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is caused by SARS-CoV-2
Inclusion criteria were: freely accepting to participate in the study and having the informed consent signed by the volunteer, pregnant woman with a regular ongoing pregnancy, body mass index of 18–30 kg/m2 in early pregnancy, and having suffered COVID-19 (PCR+, variant Alpha, B.1.1.7 from week 28th onwards for the COVID-19 group and PCR−, not having suffered the infection during the gestation, for the control group)
In the biochemical parameters shown, differences were only found in serum Fe concentrations with lower values in the COVID-19 group compared to the control group (p < 0.01)

Summary

Introduction

Introduction distributed under the terms andNovel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) is caused by SARS-CoV-2. Estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that global mortality rate ranges between 3–4%, with a high proportion of patients requiring admission to intensive care units This results in high economic costs, related to increased investment in health care and restrictions that affect circulation and trade [1]. Pregnancy presents characteristics that make pregnant women more susceptible to respiratory diseases and the pneumonia development, this being one of the most prevalent non-obstetric infections in pregnant women [2]. These characteristics are associated with some changes that include: increased oxygen consumption, elevated diaphragm, and airway edema, which makes pregnant women much more intolerant to hypoxia. In the event that a pregnant woman gets a serious respiratory infection, the most frequent complications are: premature rupture of membranes, intrauterine growth restriction, premature delivery, and fetal death [4]

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