Serum Lipid Profile Parameters as Markers of Oxidative Stress in Preeclampsia- A Case-control Study

Abstract

Introduction: Many hypotheses have been postulated in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Among these, the theory of placental ischaemia giving rise to Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) and thus causing oxidative stress is still being explored. This oxidative stress by the ROS may be further accentuated in the presence of hyperlipidaemia via the production of various lipid peroxidation products. Aim: To assess the serum lipid profile parameters and serum Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in normotensive pregnant and preeclamptic patients and to study the association of deranged lipid profile with oxidative stress in patients of preeclampsia. Also, to correlate these parameters with the severity of preeclampsia. Materials and Methods: The present study was a case-control study carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, Government Medical College and Hospital, Aurangabad, Maharashtra, India, from January 2014 to October 2015. The study included 50 normotensive pregnant women (control group) and 100 preeclamptic women further grouped into 50 cases of mild preeclampsia and 50 cases of severe preeclampsia with >20 weeks of gestation. Serum lipid profile, along with markers of oxidative stress viz., serum MDA were estimated in all groups. Data were analysed applying unpaired t-test and Pearson’s correlation test among various lipid profile parameters and serum MDA levels in the two groups of cases. Results: There was no significant difference in age and Period Of Gestation (POG) at the time of sample collection between all three groups. There was a significant rise in serum Total Cholesterol (TC) (210±20 and 240±41 mg/dL in group II and group III), Triacylglycerol (TAG) (180±22 and 190±24 mg/dL in group II and group III), Low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (LDL-C) (140±20 and 170±40 mg/dL in group II and group III), Very Low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol (VLDL-C) (35±4.4 and 38±4.8 mg/dL in group II and group III) in the study group as compared to controls. Also, the serum levels of MDA were found to be significantly increased in the study groups as compared to controls. Conclusion: Deranged lipid profile status was found to be significantly associated with oxidative stress in preeclampsia.