Abstract
Background: Increased reactive oxygen species activity as well as high levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) contribute to endothelial dysfunction and may be implicated in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Besides, hyperuricemia is a common finding in preeclamptic pregnancies. Aims: This study investigated uric acid levels in serum, TNF-alpha, superoxide anion (O2) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) produced by monocytes, as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in erythrocytes from women with preeclampsia (PE) comparing with normotensive (NT) pregnant women. Methods: Serum and peripheral blood monocytes from 30 preeclamptic and 30 NT pregnant women were obtained in the last trimester of pregnancy for determination of uric acid levels, and endogenous O2 and H2O2 released by monocytes. TNF-alpha production by monocytes was determined by ELISA, and activities of SOD and CAT were evaluated in erythrocyte lysate obtained from both groups of pregnant women. Results: In preeclamptic group serum uric acid levels were significantly higher (6.1±1.5 vs 2.8±0.3 mg/dL) as well as endogenous O2 (2.17±0.18 vs 1.68±0.13 nM) and H2O2 (1.79±0.54 vs 1.4±0.25 nM) released from monocytes than in NT group. Higher levels of TNF-alpha were produced by monocytes from patients with PE (41.3±8.8 vs 21.1±9.9 pg/mL) compared with NT group. In addition, SOD activity in erythrocytes was significantly higher in PE group (5969.2±151 vs 4834.7±168 U/g Hb) than in NT group. No significant differences between groups were observed in relation to CAT activity. Conclusions: Increased serum uric acid levels were associated with O2 and H2O2 release and TNF-alpha production by monocytes in preeclampsia, and may contribute to enhance the oxidative and inflammatory state in this disorder. FAPESP: Grant no. 2006/07095-3
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