Antioxidants In Pregnancy Research Articles

A Narrative Review of Oxidative Stress and Liver Disease in Pregnancy: The Role of Antioxidants.

Pregnancy brings numerous physiological changes to the body of the pregnant woman. Liver diseases in pregnancy contribute to increased oxidative stress, disrupting the delicate balance between reactive oxygen species and antioxidant defence. Antioxidant supplementation may have potential benefits in addressing pregnancy-related liver disorders, such as HELLP (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count) and preeclampsia-associated liver dysfunction in pregnancy. The purpose of this narrative review is to review the evidence regarding oxidative stress in liver disorders during pregnancy and the role of antioxidants in alleviating oxidative stress and its effect on maternal and foetal outcomes. A narrative review study design involved a comprehensive search across three scientific databases: PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE, published in the last 20 years. The searches were performed up to January 2024. Thirty-two studies were included in the narrative review. The most studied antioxidants were vitamins (vitamin C and E) for their role in clinical treatment, prophylaxis, and clearing surrogate oxidative stress markers. The majority of studies were on preeclampsia. Though the existing literature is not robust, available evidence suggests that antioxidant supplementation may have potential benefits in addressing pregnancy-related liver disorders, such as HELLP and preeclampsia-associated liver dysfunction in pregnancy. However, there is a need to establishconsistent protocols, ethical standards, and well-designed clinical trials to clarify the timing and dosage of antioxidants in pregnancy. Antioxidants may alleviate the oxidative stress in various liver disorders during pregnancy, which still needs to be studied further for their clinical relevance.

Antioxidants and Pregnancy Complications: Exploring Therapeutic Strategies for Better Outcomes

Pregnancy complications present significant challenges, impacting maternal health and fetal development. Oxidative stress, a key contributor to various pregnancy-related disorders such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), and preterm birth, has spurred interest in exploring antioxidant interventions. Antioxidants, known for their ability to counteract oxidative damage, have emerged as potential therapeutic agents to mitigate these complications. This paper synthesizes current knowledge on the role of antioxidants in pregnancy, elucidating their mechanisms of action, sources, and impact on oxidative stress-related complications. It examines diverse antioxidant compounds, including vitamins C and E, selenium, and natural phytochemicals, highlighting their potential to modulate oxidative stress pathways and promote maternal-fetal well-being. Furthermore, this paper critically analyzes clinical studies, meta-analyses, and preclinical research exploring the efficacy and safety of antioxidant supplementation during pregnancy. It discusses the complexities surrounding optimal dosages, timing, and formulations of antioxidants, aiming to delineate strategies for their integration into prenatal care. In conclusion, this review provides insights into the promising role of antioxidants as therapeutic strategies to alleviate pregnancy complications associated with oxidative stress. It highlights avenues for future research, advocating for a deeper understanding of antioxidant mechanisms and their optimal utilization in prenatal care to enhance maternal and fetal health outcomes.

Harnessing Antioxidants for Enhanced Pregnancy Success and Fetal Development

Pregnancy is a dynamic physiological state marked by increased oxidative stress, presenting challenges to maternal health and fetal development. This review explores the intricate relationship between oxidative stress and pregnancy outcomes, emphasizing the potential of antioxidants as crucial mediators in maintaining a healthy balance. The role of antioxidants in mitigating cellular damage, inflammation, and adverse pregnancy outcomes is discussed, with a focus on their impact on reproductive success and long-term fetal development. Key antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, selenium, coenzyme Q10, and polyphenols, are explored in the context of their mechanisms of action and potential clinical applications. The review delves into the implications of antioxidant supplementation on fertility, implantation, and early embryonic development, providing insights into optimizing reproductive success. The clinical applications of antioxidants in pregnancy are explored, encompassing patient-specific factors and potential challenges in interpreting study results.

The Role of Antioxidants in Improving Pregnancy Outcomes

Pregnancy is a physiologically demanding phase marked by profound changes that elevate oxidative stress levels, posing potential risks to maternal and fetal health. Oxidative stress, resulting from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant defense mechanisms, has been implicated in various pregnancy complications. Antioxidants, renowned for their ability to counteract ROS and mitigate cellular damage, have emerged as a potential intervention to ameliorate adverse outcomes during pregnancy. The paper highlights the physiological changes in pregnancy that contribute to heightened oxidative stress, emphasizing the link between oxidative stress and complications such as pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and intrauterine growth restriction. This paper emphasizes the imperative for robust, well-designed clinical trials to elucidate the optimal timing, dosages, and formulations of antioxidants in pregnancy. It calls for a comprehensive approach to establish clear guidelines and recommendations for antioxidant supplementation. In conclusion, this review underscores the potential of antioxidants as a promising intervention to mitigate oxidative stress-related pregnancy complications. However, the inconclusive nature of current evidence necessitates further rigorous research endeavors. Through this exploration, it accentuates the urgency for standardized protocols, ethical considerations, and extensive clinical studies to unlock the full potential of antioxidants in improving maternal and fetal health outcomes during pregnancy. Keywords: Antioxidants, Pregnancy, Maternal Health, Fetal Health, Oxidative Stress, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), Preeclampsia, Gestational Diabetes, Fetal Development

Antioxidant Therapy in Pregnancy: Enhancing Maternal-Infant Well-being through Redox Balance

Pregnancy is a complex physiological state characterized by dynamic changes in the maternal body to support fetal growth and development. However, this intricate process can also lead to increased oxidative stress, characterized by an imbalance between the productions of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the body’s ability to neutralize them. Excessive oxidative stress during pregnancy has been linked to various gestational complications, including preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm birth, highlighting the need for interventions to enhance maternal and fetal well-being. Antioxidant therapy has emerged as a promising approach to counteract oxidative stress and mitigate its adverse effects during pregnancy. This review explores the current state of knowledge regarding the role of antioxidants in pregnancy, focusing on their potential benefits in improving maternal health and optimizing fetal development.

Antioxidants and Pregnancy: Impact on Maternal and Fetal Health

Pregnancy represents a physiological state characterized by increased metabolic demands and heightened oxidative stress, posing potential risks to both maternal health and fetal development. Oxidative stress, resulting from an imbalance between reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and antioxidant defense mechanisms, has been implicated in various pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, preterm birth, and fetal developmental abnormalities. Antioxidants, a diverse group of compounds abundant in fruits, vegetables, and certain supplements, play a pivotal role in neutralizing ROS and mitigating oxidative damage. This comprehensive review aims to elucidate the impact of antioxidants on maternal and fetal health during pregnancy. This paper underscores the crucial influence of antioxidants on fetal development. Antioxidants have shown promise in protecting fetal cells and tissues from oxidative damage, potentially reducing the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes, birth defects, and preterm birth. In conclusion, while antioxidants exhibit potential benefits in mitigating oxidative stress and NEWPORT INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL AND APPLIED SCIENCES (NIJBAS) Volume 4 Issue 1 2023 ©NIJBAS Publications 2023 OPEN ACCESS ONLINE ISSN: 2992-5797 PRINT ISSN: 2992-6122 ©Obeagu et al., 2023 This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Page | 18 improving pregnancy outcomes, further research is warranted to elucidate optimal dosages, potential interactions, and long-term implications. This review offers insights into the current understanding of antioxidants in pregnancy and emphasizes their significance in promoting maternal well-being and optimal fetal development. Keywords: Antioxidants, Pregnancy, Maternal and Fetal Health

Antioxidants in Pregnancy: Do We Really Need More Trials?

Human pregnancy can be affected by numerous pathologies, from those which are mild and reversible to others which are life-threatening. Among these, gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with subsequent consequences stand out. Health problems experienced by women during pregnancy and postpartum are associated with significant costs to health systems worldwide and contribute largely to maternal mortality and morbidity. Major risk factors for mothers include obesity, advanced maternal age, cardiovascular dysfunction, and endothelial damage; in these scenarios, oxidative stress plays a major role. Markers of oxidative stress can be measured in patients with preeclampsia, foetal growth restriction, and gestational diabetes mellitus, even before their clinical onset. In consequence, antioxidant supplements have been proposed as a possible therapy; however, results derived from large scale randomised clinical trials have been disappointing as no positive effects were demonstrated. This review focuses on the latest evidence on oxidative stress in pregnancy complications, their early diagnosis, and possible therapies to prevent or treat these pathologies.

Maternal Dietary Antioxidant Intake in Pregnancy and Childhood Respiratory and Atopic Outcomes: Birth Cohort Study

To investigate the associations between maternal intake of dietary antioxidants in pregnancy and childhood respiratory and atopic outcomes (including lung function) and to explore whether these associations were modified by maternal smoking during pregnancy and common maternal antioxidant gene polymorphisms.The study was focused on 8915 mother-child pairs who participated in a population-based birth cohort in Avon, United Kingdom.Researchers in this study analyzed associations between maternal intake of fruits, vegetables, vitamins C and E, carotene, zinc, and selenium in pregnancy and current doctor-diagnosed asthma, atopy, and lung function in 8915 children at age 7 to 9 years. To explore potential interaction from environmental exposures, results were stratified for maternal smoking history and by maternal antioxidant intake during pregnancy.After controlling for confounders, positive associations were observed between maternal intake of zinc and childhood forced expiratory volume at 1 second and forced vital capacity with evidence of a dose-response relationship. Post hoc analyses of the associations between maternal zinc intake and childhood forced expiratory volume at 1 second and forced vital capacity at 15 years (n = 3669) showed similar findings to those observed at 8 years. In contrast to these findings, there was no evidence that maternal intake of dietary antioxidants is associated with a risk of childhood asthma or atopy.Researchers in this study found that higher maternal intake of zinc during pregnancy may be associated with better lung function in their children.This study is the first to demonstrate an association between maternal zinc intake during pregnancy and respiratory outcomes in their offspring. Despite the findings that zinc is associated with decreased lung function values, there was no association between childhood asthma or atopy. This suggests that early intervention during pregnancy to increase antioxidant intake would be unlikely to succeed as a prevention strategy for these conditions.

Biochemical changes and pregnancy toxemia in pregnant and lactating Harri ewes under arid lands conditions

This study was conducted to evaluate serum biochemical constituents and antioxidant enzymes activities in non-pregnant (open), pregnant and lactating ewes exposed to nutritional climatic stress conditions. Forty pure Harri ewes at 3-6 years of age and weighing 49.6 ± 1.22 kg were synchronized for estrus and bred to pregnancy. Ewes were kept indoors in a semi open shelter and were given concentrate mix as the only daily ration during pregnancy and lactation. Pregnant ewes had higher (P<0.05) total protein than lactating that had higher albumin and lower globulin concentrations than open and pregnant ewes. Pregnant ewes had lower glucose, triglycerides and cholesterol than open and lactating ewes. Pregnant ewes had higher Na and lower K than open and lactating ewes. During last 3 months of pregnancy antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase, nitric oxide and malondialdehyde rose to maximum and declined after parturition. It can be concluded that pregnant ewes often endure dramatic alteration in their metabolism due to heightened fetal development demanding more nutritional intervention to avoid pregnancy toxemia and improve productivity.

Biochemical Effect of Artemisin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) Antimalarial Drugs on Enzymatic Antioxidants in Pregnancy

Biochemical Effect of Artemisin-based Combination Therapy (ACT) Antimalarial Drugs on Enzymatic Antioxidants in Pregnancy

Improving Asthma during Pregnancy with Dietary Antioxidants: The Current Evidence

The complication of asthma during pregnancy is associated with a number of poor outcomes for the mother and fetus. This may be partially driven by increased oxidative stress induced by the combination of asthma and pregnancy. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways associated with systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, which contributes to worsening asthma symptoms. Pregnancy alone also intensifies oxidative stress through the systemic generation of excess reactive oxidative species (ROS). Antioxidants combat the damaging effects of ROS; yet antioxidant defenses are reduced in asthma. Diet and nutrition have been postulated as potential factors to combat the damaging effects of asthma. In particular, dietary antioxidants may play a role in alleviating the heightened oxidative stress in asthma. Although there are some observational and interventional studies that have shown protective effects of antioxidants in asthma, assessment of antioxidants in pregnancy are limited and there are no antioxidant intervention studies in asthmatic pregnancies on asthma outcomes. The aims of this paper are to (i) review the relationships between oxidative stress and dietary antioxidants in adults with asthma and asthma during pregnancy, and (ii) provide the rationale for which dietary management strategies, specifically increased dietary antioxidants, might positively impact maternal asthma outcomes. Improving asthma control through a holistic antioxidant dietary approach might be valuable in reducing asthma exacerbations and improving asthma management during pregnancy, subsequently impacting perinatal health.

Correlation between lipid peroxidation and non-enzymatic antioxidants in pregnancy induced hypertension

The present study was designed to evaluate the lipid peroxidation and non-enzymatic antioxidants in pregnancyinduced hypertension (PIH) compared with healthy normal pregnant and non-pregnant as controls. 75 cases were studied of which 25 were normal healthy controls (Group A), 25 healthy pregnant women (Group B) of third trimester and 25 were PIH (Group C) of the same trimester. In PIH, malondialdehyde a lipid peroxidation product was significantly increased as compared to normal pregnant and non-pregnant controls. The nonenzymatic antioxidants like reduced glutathione, Vitamin-E, Vitamin-C and Vitamin-A were significantly decreased in normal pregnants as compared to controls. A further significant decrease was noticed in PIH compared to normal pregnants. A significant negative correlation was detected between lipid peroxidation and non-enzymatic antioxidant levels. Our study clearly indicates a relationship between elevated lipid peroxidation, decreased non-enzymatic antioxidant in PIH. The measurement of non-enzymatic antioxidants in plasma may be useful predictor of the likely development of PIH.

The response of the dietary anti-oxidants vitamin E and vitamin C to oxidative stress in pre-eclampsia

Summary The relationship of oxidants and anti-oxidants in preeclampsia with reference to the dietary anti-oxidants vitamin C and vitamin E was investigated. Three groups of patients were studied in the third trimester of pregnancy: normotensives (n = 32), mild pre-eclamptics (n = 15) and severe pre-eclamptics (n = 31) with a group of healthy non-pregnant women (n = 18) serving as a control. Total anti-oxidant concentration, the concentrations of vitamin C, vitamin E, superoxide dismutase, uric acid and the concentration of total oxidant activity, as reflected by lipid peroxides, were measured in plasma or red blood cells. Total anti-oxidants and vitamin C concentrations were significantly lower in pre-eclamptic patients than in pregnant controls (P < 0.05), with the concentrations in the pregnant controls being significantly lower than in the non-pregnant controls (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in vitamin E concentration for all four groups. Superoxide dismutase activity was significantly lower in the normal pregnancy group. Lipid peroxides were significantly increased in the three pregnant groups (P < 0.05) with no differences noted between these groups. The relationship of oxidants to anti-oxidants in pregnancy and pre-eclampsia is dependent on many factors but balance appears to be upset in pre-eclampsia. The reduction in anti-oxidant concentrations in pre-eclampsia suggests either a primary deficit or consumption of the anti-oxidants measured. Of the dietary anti-oxidants studied, vitamin C was most affected in pre-eclampsia.