Oxidative Stress In Pregnancy Research Articles

The Essential Role of Traditional Chinese Medicine Compounds in Regulating Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion by Inhibiting Oxidative Stress.

Due to the lack of accurate registration of RSA and miscarriages, many early miscarriages are overlooked and not diagnosed or treated promptly in hospitals. This uncertainty in pathogenesis prevents clinicians from taking targeted therapeutic measures, leading to unsatisfactory treatment outcomes and placing a heavy burden on the patient's family and the healthcare system. Oxidative stress is present in embryonic development and affects the regulation of oxidative stress in pregnancy and the reproductive endocrine system. Oxidative stress injury is a significant pathogenesis of RSA, so improving the body's ability to resist oxidative stress injury is crucial in treating RSA. For patients with RSA, there is an urgent need for safe, efficient, and cost-effective anti-oxidative stress drugs, and there is growing evidence that treatment with Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can improve pregnancy success with fewer adverse effects. Many active ingredients for treating RSA are mainly derived from certain components of TCM, including flavonoids, phenols, and other compounds, which have been shown to treat RSA directly or indirectly by targeting anti-oxidative stress-related pathways. This article summarizes the experimental and clinical evidence of several common TCM compounds for treating RSA. It provides ideas and perspectives for further exploring the pathogenesis of RSA and TCM compounds for treating RSA.

High dietary salt intake attenuates nitric oxide mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation and increases oxidative stress in pregnancy.

This study aimed to investigate the impact of dietary salt intake during normal pregnancy on maternal microvascular and macrovascular endothelium-dependent reactivity and oxidative stress level. In this cross-sectional study, based on their 24-h urinary sodium excretion, pregnant women (37-40 weeks of gestation) were divided into three groups: normal salt (<5.75 g/day, N = 12), high salt (5.75-10.25 g/day, N = 36), and very high salt (VHS;>10.25 g/day, N = 17). Forearm skin microvascular reactivity in response to vascular occlusion, local heating (LTH) and iontophoresis of acetylcholine (AChID), as well as brachial artery flow mediated dilation (FMD) were measured. Serum nitric oxide, endocan, 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α), thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), and ferric-reducing ability of plasma assay were measured as biomarkers of endothelial function/activation and oxidative stress. Brachial artery FMD, microvascular AChID, and LTH were significantly decreased in VHS compared with NS group, while LTH was also decreased in normal salt compared with high salt group. Nitric oxide was significantly decreased in both high salt and VHS groups compared with normal salt. Endocan, 8-iso-PGF2α, and TBARS were significantly increased in VHS compared with the normal salt group. High dietary salt intake is associated with decreased nitric oxide mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation in peripheral microcirculation and macrocirculation of healthy pregnant women due to increased oxidative stress.

Enhancing pregnancy outcomes: the role of antioxidants in obstetrics

The physiological process of pregnancy is intricate and fraught with difficulties and potential problems that may affect the health of the mother and the fetus. Owing to its capacity to counteract oxidative stress, antioxidants have drawn a lot of interest from obstetricians as possible partners in enhancing pregnancy outcomes. This study examines the body of research on the function of antioxidants in obstetrics and how they affect different elements of pregnancy. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the body's antioxidant defense mechanisms are out of balance, and this imbalance can lead to oxidative stress, which has been linked to harmful pregnancy outcomes such as preterm birth, preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth restriction. One vital organ for fetal development, the placenta, is especially vulnerable to oxidative damage, which could result in difficulties. This review focuses on the many endogenous and exogenous sources of antioxidants as well as their methods of action in reducing oxidative stress in pregnancy. Selenium, polyphenols from fruits and vegetables, vitamins C and E, and other well researched antioxidants have demonstrated the potential to lower the risk of unfavorable pregnancy outcomes. The review also investigates the possible synergistic benefits of mixing several antioxidants for improved defense.

Oxidative Stress in Pregnancy.

Recent years have seen an increased interest in the role of oxidative stress (OS) in pregnancy. Pregnancy inherently heightens susceptibility to OS, a condition fueled by a systemic inflammatory response that culminates in an elevated presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) in the circulatory system. The amplified OS in pregnancy can trigger a series of detrimental outcomes such as underdevelopment, abnormal placental function, and a host of pregnancy complications, including pre-eclampsia, embryonic resorption, recurrent pregnancy loss, fetal developmental anomalies, intrauterine growth restriction, and, in extreme instances, fetal death. The body's response to mitigate the uncontrolled increase in RNS/ROS levels requires trace elements that take part in non-enzymatic and enzymatic defense processes, namely, copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), manganese (Mn), and selenium (Se). Determination of ROS concentrations poses a challenge due to their short half-lives, prompting the use of marker proteins, including malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH). These markers, indicative of oxidative stress intensity, can offer indirect assessments of pregnancy complications. Given the limitations of conducting experimental studies on pregnant women, animal models serve as valuable substitutes for in-depth research. This review of such models delves into the mechanism of OS in pregnancy and underscores the pivotal role of OS markers in their evaluation.

The Role of Endothelin-1 and Oxidative Stress In Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

&#x0D; Pregnancy Induced HypertensionPIH is one of the most frequent complications of pregnancy , however little is known about its etiology. Endothelial dysfunction serves as a causative factor in the initiation of the maternal pathophysiological changes of PIH &amp; is not just a result of this disorder. Endothelin-1 may play an important role in the pathophysiology of PIH, either by acting on vascular smooth muscle directly to induce contraction or by increasing the formation of angiotensin II. Pregnancy induced hypertension is associated with endothelial dysfunction &amp; could be caused by oxidative stress. Recent evidence suggest the role of oxidative stress in PIH. The high level of malondiahyde MDA may reflect the excessive oxidative damage in PIH. The study sample consist of 50 normal non pregnant women, 50 normotensive pregnant women, and 50 preeclamptic pregnant women in their third trimester in Mosul city. The aim of this study was designed to evaluate the role of endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress in pathogenesis of PIH. The results of this study showed that there was a highly significant elevation (P0.000) in the serum level of endothelin-1 in the preeclamptic pregnant women in comparison with normotensive pregnant &amp; the control group. Also there was a highly significant elevation (P0.000) in the level of serum MDA in the preeclamptic pregnant women in comparison with normotensive pregnancy &amp; the control group. The serum endothelin-1 has a significant negative correlation with both maternal age &amp; gestational age, while endothelin-1 has a significant positive correlation with diastolic blood pressure. The MDA showed a significant negative correlation with maternal age, while there was a significant positive correlation between MDA &amp; diastolic blood pressure.&#x0D; &#x0D; &#x0D;

ALTERATIONS IN THE SERUM REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES (ROS) - ANTIOXIDANT BALANCE AS A CAUSE FOR RECURRENT PREGNANCY LOSS (RPL) PATHOGENESIS: A PILOT STUDY IN THE NORTHEAST INDIAN POPULATION OF ASSAM

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) is a major pregnancy complication, affecting 7.46% of the Indian population. Although the role of oxidative stress in pregnancy has been extensively studied, only few studies have correlated alterations in oxidative stress with RPL predisposition in women from India. This work, therefore, aims to study the alterations in the ROS-antioxidant levels between the RPL cases and MTP controls and to correlate these alterations with RPL predisposition in the study population.

Variation of the Oxidative Profile in Pregnant Women With and Without Gestational Complications.

Oxidative stress is closely related to the pathophysiology of gestation, where the placenta is susceptible to oxidative damage, contributing to the onset of gestational complications. Currently, few studies evaluate the use of oxidative markers for prediction of risk of gestational complications. However, there are some reports that suggest these biomarkers as potential prognostic biomarkers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the biomarkers of oxidative stress from gestations with and without complications, and also evaluate the delta of variation in these markers from the first gestational trimester. A total of 45 pregnant women were evaluated during the three gestational trimesters, of whom 15 developed gestational complications by the end of gestation. The evaluated oxidative damage markers were thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and nitric oxide dosage. Evaluation of the antioxidant system was performed by the quantification of vitamin C, sulfhydryl groups, total antioxidant capacity, plasmatic iron reduction ability, the evaluation of catalase and delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase enzymatic activity. According to the results, the markers of oxidative damage are increased, and the antioxidant profile decreased, in the third trimester of complicated pregnancies as compared to uncomplicated pregnancies. Moreover, the delta of variation in both oxidative damage markers and antioxidants was higher in complicated gestations as compared to uncomplicated gestations, thus suggesting a higher oxidative stress in pregnancies with complications. Oxidative stress parameters appear altered in pregnant women with gestational complications. The markers to oxidative stress can be possible biomarkers, helping in understanding mechanisms underlying the associations between complications during pregnancy and various health outcomes.

Prenatal Exposure to Disinfection Byproducts and Intrauterine Growth in a Chinese Cohort.

Disinfection byproduct (DBP) exposure has been associated with birth size, pregnancy oxidative stress, and other adverse perinatal outcomes. However, little is known about the potential effect of prenatal DBP exposure on intrauterine growth. The present study included 1516 pregnant women from the Xiaogan Disinfection By-Products (XGDBP) birth cohort who were measured for four blood trihalomethanes [i.e., chloroform (TCM), bromodichloromethane (BDCM), dibromochloromethane (DBCM), and bromoform (TBM)] and two urinary haloacetic acids [i.e., dichloroacetic acid (DCAA) and trichloroacetic acid (TCAA)] across pregnancy trimesters. Second- and third-trimester fetal ultrasound measures of the abdominal circumference (AC), head circumference, biparietal diameter, femur length, and estimated fetal weight and birth weight were converted into z-scores. After adjusting for potential confounders, linear mixed models showed a decreasing AC z-score across tertiles of blood brominated THM (Br-THMs, the sum of BDCM, DBCM, and TBM) and total THM (THM4, the sum of Br-THMs and TCM) concentrations (both p for trend <0.01). We also observed a decreasing AC z-score across categories of blood TBM during pregnancy trimesters (p for trend = 0.03). Urinary haloacetic acids were unrelated to fetal growth parameters. In summary, prenatal exposure to THMs, particularly during the first trimester, was associated with reduced fetal abdominal circumference.

STATUS OF OXIDANT (MDA) ANTIOXIDANT (SOD) IN FIRST AND THIRD TRIMESTER OF NORMAL PREGNANCY IN TERTIARY CENTER OF CENTRAL INDIA

INTRODUCTION: Pregnancy is associated with high metabolic demand and increased demand for tissue oxygen. Consequently increased production of reactive oxygen species. This leads in increased oxidative stress and decreases antioxidant status during gestational age of normal pregnant women. Aim: Aim of this study was to evaluate the level of oxidant and antioxidant in 1st and 3rd trimester of normal pregnant women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The present study included total 150 cases attended ANC Clinic at the department of Gynae LNMC &amp; J K Hospital was screened for the study. Level of MDA was estimated by Jean et al and SOD was Marklund and Marklund. RESULTS: Findings were, that there was signicantly increase in Malondialdehyde levels (p&lt;0.001) and signicantly decrease in superoxide dismutase activities (P&lt;0.001) in 1st and 3rd trimester of normal pregnant women. Conclusion: present study concludes that there was difference in oxidative status due to dynamic changes. During pregnancy oxidative stress is increased and antioxidant decreased that can be fatal to the health of the mother and the fetus. Therefore antioxidant supplements should be prescribed in early pregnancy to prevent the overwhelming of oxidative stress in pregnant females.

Assessment of thiol/disulfide and ischemia modified albumin level and oxidative stress in pregnancies complicated by meconium

Objective The purpose of this study is to evaluate antioxidant balance in pregnant women with meconium-stained amniotic fluid. Methods Forty pregnant women with meconium-stained amniotic fluid and 40 pregnant women with non-meconium-stained amniotic fluid were included in the study. By checking the ischemia modified albumin (IMA) level and thiol/disulfide homeostasis in the maternal blood during labor and in newborn umbilical cord blood at the first minute after birth, antioxidant/oxidant balance was evaluated. Results No statistically significant difference was found between the maternal albumin levels. Maternal IMA level was statistically significantly higher in the meconium group than in the control group (p = .045). Maternal native thiol (SH) and maternal total thiol levels were statistically significantly higher in the control group than in the meconium group (p = .042 and p = .009, respectively). No statistically significant difference was found between maternal disulfide/native thiol (p = .262), maternal disulfide/total thiol (p = .152), maternal native thiol/total thiol (p = .153) rates in both groups. No statistically significant difference was determined between the patients with meconium and the control group in terms of cord blood IMA (p = .474), Albumin levels (p = .664), cord blood Native thiol (p = .944), cord blood total thiol (p = .612) levels and cord blood disulfide/native thiol (p = .240), cord blood disulfide/total thiol (p = .276), cord blood native thiol/total thiol (p = .277) rates. Conclusion Determination of a decrease in SH and Total Thiol levels in maternal serum and an increase in the meconium group’s IMA level was interpreted as a shift of antioxidant balance toward oxidant in this group.

Sodium acetate ameliorated systemic and renal oxidative stress in high-fructose insulin-resistant pregnant Wistar rats.

Pregnancy is an insulin-resistant condition especially at near term predisposing maternal kidneys to hyperinsulinemia-induced oxidative stress. The impact of fructose on renal metabolic dysregulation and oxidative stress in pregnancy requires elucidation. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are known for protective roles in oxidative stress conditions. Therefore, the study aimed at investigating fructose-induced glucose dysregulation and renal oxidative stress in pregnant and non-pregnant rats and the possible preventive role of SCFA, acetate. Thirty female Wistar rats were grouped (n = 5/group). Three groups were made pregnant (P); the other three remained non-pregnant (NP). Both pregnant and non-pregnant rats received drinking water (control), 10% fructose (w/v) (NP+F or P+F), and 10% (w/v) fructose plus sodium acetate (200 mg/kg) (NP+F+A or P+F+A) for 3 weeks. Renal and plasma glutathione antioxidant index (GSH/GSSG), G6PDH, and adenosine were significantly lower in NP+F and P+F groups compared with control while renal and plasma adenosine deaminase (ADA), xanthine oxidase (XO), uric acid (UA), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and malonaldehyde (MDA) were significantly elevated in NP+F and P+F groups compared with controls. HOMA-IR showed marked impairment in both NP+F and P+F groups. The P+F group revealed greater suppression in plasma and renal G6PDH-dependent antioxidant index, adenosine, and aggravation of LDH, MDA compared with the NP+F group (p < 0.05). Sodium acetate reduces plasma and renal surrogate oxidative stress markers, improved G6PD-dependent antioxidant index, and HOMA-IR in NP+F and P+F groups. Pregnancy exacerbates fructose-induced insulin resistance and renal oxidative stress whereas acetate ameliorated fructose-induced redox and glucose dysregulation in pregnant and non-pregnant rats.

Maternal Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Pregnancy and Child Growth from Birth to Age 6.

Maternal oxidative stress in pregnancy can arise through a multitude of sources and may have lifelong consequences for the child. Animal studies suggest that prenatal oxidative stress may contribute to metabolic dysfunction and excessive weight gain in the offspring. However, this relationship has been studied minimally in humans. Determine the association between prenatal oxidative stress biomarkers and child weight and body mass index (BMI) z-scores from birth to age 6. Within The Infant Development and the Environment Study (TIDES) prospective pregnancy cohort, we calculated age- and sex-specific Z-scores for child weight and BMI, measured between birth and age 6 (N = 736). Three oxidative stress biomarkers were quantified in third-trimester urine, including 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (8-iso-PGF2α), its primary metabolite, and prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α). We examined associations between each biomarker and Z-scores using linear regression as well as group-based trajectory modeling. Prenatal 8-iso-PGF2α and its metabolite were associated with lower birth weight and higher weight at age 4. For example, an ln-unit increase in 8-iso-PGF2α was associated with 0.17 SD higher weight at age 4 (95% CI 0.01, 0.33). These biomarkers were also associated with higher BMI at age 4. Finally, within 4 unique weight trajectories (low, normal, high, and low-high), children of mothers with higher 8-iso-PGF2α were 2.56 times more likely (95% CI 1.22, 5.41) to be in the low-high trajectory than children in the normal group. We observed associations between third-trimester oxidative stress and lower birth weight as well as higher early childhood weight and BMI. These findings have important implications for understanding the developmental origins of childhood weight gain and metabolic disease.

The Influence of Oxidative Stress-Related Factors on Pregnancy and Neonatal Outcomes

Abstract Background: Pregnancy is a physiological process associated with an excessive oxidative stress for both the mother and the neonate. Oxidative stress was extensively studied and is still in focus as a factor of maternal pathologies during pregnancy, with consequences on the outcome of the neonate. Aim: The aim of our study was to determine whether oxidative stress-related factors can influence the outcome of pregnancy, delivery, and the neonate’s wellbeing. Material and methods: The study was conducted using a questionnaire among pregnant women with voluntary enrollment. Exclusion criteria were preeclampsia or other cardiovascular diseases, gestational diabetes, and hypothyroidism at admission. Patients were enrolled in a control group of 60 pregnant women without preexisting pathology and pregnancy with physiological course, a premature group of 21 pregnant women with premature delivery, and a cardiac group of 8 pregnant women with fetal heart disease known before birth. The study population was separated into subgroups based on dietary supplement use within the three main groups, and other subgroups for smoking/non-smoking mothers in the control group and one for smoking/non-smoking mothers in the premature and cardiac groups together. Results: The mean Apgar score at 1 minute was significantly higher in the control group compared to the cardiac group (p = 0.0023). The 1-minute Apgar score was significantly lower in infants that were born premature, from smoking mothers, compared to babies that were delivered at term (p = 0.0191). Although we did not obtain significant differences in birth weight corrected by gestational age between the control (mature) group and premature group, there was a good correlation in gestational age and birth weight of the preterm born infants (r = 0.8517, p &lt;0.0001). Conclusions: Smoking can aggravate oxidative stress in pregnancy, which will contribute to a difficult postnatal adaptation of newborns from smoking mothers and will increase the risk of premature delivery.

Pathogenesis of Congenital Malformations: Possible Role of Oxidative Stress.

Congenital anomalies are important causes of morbidity and mortality in children. Oxidative stress (OS) is involved in the physiopathology of pregnancy-related congenital malformations. This review summarizes the role of OS in the pathogenesis of congenital malformations; in particular, its purpose is to describe how OS influences the development of heart congenital malformations, oesophageal atresia, biliary atresia, diaphragmatic hernia, and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease. Systematic review of previous studies about the role of OS in pregnancy and its possible effects in developing of congenital malformations. One electronic database (PubMed) was searched and reference lists were checked. An imbalance between the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defense can occur early in pregnancy and continue in the postnatal life, producing OS. It may destroy the signaling pathways needed for a correct embryogenesis leading to birth defects. In fact, cell functions, especially during embryogenesis, needs specific signaling pathways to regulate the development. These pathways are sensitive to both endogenous and exogenous factors; therefore, they can produce structural alterations of the developing fetus. Because OS plays a significant role in pathogenesis of congenital malformations, studies should be developed in order to better define their OS mechanisms and the beneficial effects of supplemental therapeutic strategies. · Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of congenital malformations.. · Heart malformations, oesophageal atresia, biliary atresia, diaphragmatic hernia, and autosomal dominant polycystic kidney are analyzed.. · A knowledge of pathomechanism of OS-related congenital malformations could be useful to prevent them..

Association of Oxidative Stress on Pregnancy.

The pathophysiological mechanism underlying pregnancy complications such as congenital malformations, miscarriage, preeclampsia, or fetal growth restriction is not entirely known. However, the negative impact of the mother's body oxidative imbalance on the fetus and the course of gestation is increasingly discussed. This article is an integrative review of some original studies and review papers on the effects of oxidative stress on the adverse pregnancy outcomes mainly birth defects in fetuses. A systematic search for English language articles published from 2010 until 2020 was made, using MEDLINE data. Additionally, we analyzed the Cochrane and Scopus databases, discussions with experts, and a review of bibliography of articles from scientifically relevant and valuable sources. The main purposes are to assess the contribution of the existing literature of associations of oxidative stress on the etiology of the abovementioned conditions and to identify relevant information and outline existing knowledge. Furthermore, the authors aim to find any gaps in the research, thereby providing grounds for our own research. The key search terms were “oxidative stress in pregnancy,” “oxidative stress and congenital malformations,” and “oxidative stress and adverse pregnancy outcomes.” Studies have confirmed that oxidative stress has a significant impact on pregnancy and is involved in the pathomechanism of adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Altered Tregs and oxidative stress in pregnancy associated lupus

AimSLE is a systemic autoimmune disease generally affecting woman in the reproductive age. It is associated with an altered level of Tregs and oxidative stress while an increase in Tregs, and different antioxidant mechanisms to combat oxidative stress are essential for successful pregnancy. Hence, this study aims to determine the level of CD4+ and CD8+ Tregs and oxidative stress in pregnant lupus patients.MethodsTen healthy and 10 pregnant lupus volunteers from the North Indian population, within the age group of 20–30 years were enrolled in the study. All the patients were non-smokers, non-alcoholics and were not associated or undergoing therapy for any other disease. They had a SLEDAI of 37.4 ± 7.32 with 5.2 ± 1.93 years of disease duration. Oxidative stress was determined by measuring the enzyme activity of anti-oxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) and the level of reduced glutathione and lipids peroxidised, spectrophotometrically. Flowcytometry was performed for immunophenotyping to determine CD8+ and CD4+ Tregs.ResultsElevated CD8+ Tregs and diminished CD4+ Tregs were observed in pregnant lupus patients. Oxidative stress was significantly increased as the activities of anti-oxidant enzymes and level of reduced glutathione was considerably diminished. There was a substantial increase in the amount of lipids peroxidised.ConclusionPregnant lupus patients undergo considerable level of oxidative stress in comparison to healthy pregnant woman. The decreased level of CD4+ Tregs and an increase in CD8+ Tregs might be another important factor responsible for pregnancy associated complications. Hence, lupus leads to alterations in the necessary conditions for a successful pregnancy, which might eventually cause higher mortality, morbidity and associated complications.

Urinary concentrations of phenols in association with biomarkers of oxidative stress in pregnancy: Assessment of effects independent of phthalates

BackgroundMaternal exposure to environmental phenols is common in pregnancy and has been linked to preterm birth, preeclampsia, and reduced fetal growth. One potential mechanism may be through increased maternal oxidative stress. ObjectiveWe examined the associations between a panel of 10 urinary phenols, including dichlorophenols, benzophenone-3, parabens, triclosan and triclocarban, and bisphenol-S, and two urinary oxidative stress biomarkers, 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and 8-isoprostane. All exposure and outcome biomarkers were measured at 4 time points in pregnancy. MethodsWe used repeated measures models to examine the association between repeated exposure and outcome biomarkers. Additionally, we used adaptive elastic net (AENET) to identify non-null associations accounting for the correlation structure of exposures, both for phenols and urinary phthalate metabolites that were previously associated with the oxidative stress biomarkers in our study population. ResultsIn adjusted repeated measures models, we observed that dichlorophenols, benzophenone-3, triclosan, and some parabens were associated with increases in both oxidative stress biomarkers. The greatest effect estimates were observed for 2,5-dichlorophenol; an interquartile range (IQR) increase in this compound was associated with a 15.2% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 11.0, 19.6) increase in 8-OHdG and a 16.7% (95% CI = 9.66, 24.2) increase in 8-isoprostane. Bisphenol-S detection was associated with a clear increase in 8-isoprostane (18.5%, 95% CI = 7.68, 30.5) but a more modest increase in 8-OHdG (6.18%, 95% CI = −0.27, 13.1). However, AENET models did not consistently select any of the phenols as predictors of 8-OHdG or 8-isoprostane when phthalate metabolites were included in the model. ConclusionOverall, urinary phenols were associated with increases in biomarkers of oxidative stress in pregnancy but either to a lesser extent, or due to correlation with, urinary phthalate metabolites.

Associations between repeated ultrasound measures of fetal growth and biomarkers of maternal oxidative stress and inflammation in pregnancy.

Perturbations in normal fetal growth during pregnancy are associated with poor child and adult health outcomes. Inflammation and oxidative stress are recognized as important mechanisms in preeclampsia and preterm birth but have been examined less in relation to fetal growth. We hypothesized that maternal inflammation and oxidative stress in pregnancy would be associated with reduced fetal growth and sought to identify windows of vulnerability. In a secondary analysis of 482 women from the LIFECODES birth cohort study, we measured inflammation (C-reactive protein [CRP] and the cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α) and oxidative stress (8-isoprostane and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine [8-OHdG]) biomarkers in plasma and urine, respectively, at four time points during pregnancy. We examined associations between repeated measures of each marker and ultrasound (head and abdominal circumference, femur length, and a summary measure of estimated fetal weight) as well as delivery (birthweight) metrics of growth. In adjusted repeated-measures models, an interquartile range (IQR) increase in CRP was associated with a 0.12 standard deviation decrease in fetal weight z-score (95% confidence interval, CI, -0.21, -0.02), which corresponds to approximately 50g at 40-week gestation. The association was greatest in magnitude (ie, most negative) with CRP measured later in pregnancy. Oxidative stress markers were not associated with fetal weight, although both were inversely associated with head circumference and femur length. Inflammation and oxidative stress markers measured later in pregnancy were associated with reduced fetal growth as measured by repeated ultrasound scans.

Visfatin gene expression and oxidative stress in pregnancy induced hypertension

Preeclampsia, a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy, was related to hypertension, diabetes, oxidative stress, obesity, in addition to polycystic ovarian diseases. Visfatin, potentially a new adipokine has emerged having high contribution in pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Oxidative stress was increased lipid peroxidation and caused vascular endothelial damage. This study was conducted with the aim of evaluating the level of visfatin gene expression in placenta and measuring some oxidative stress parameters. Eighty Egyptian patients of newly diagnosed pregnant hypertensive disorder were selected for the study which was recruited from Mansoura University Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and also normotensive pregnant women were collected. The pregnant women groups were classified into four groups: gestational hypertension (n = 20), mild preeclampsia (n = 16), severe preeclampsia (n = 25), chronic hypertension with superimposed preeclampsia (n = 19) and compared with normotensive pregnant women (n = 10) as control group. Visfatin gene expression level was decreased in placenta of pregnant hypertensive disorder women groups with mean 1.28 ± 0.42, 1.01 ± 0.24, 0.40 ± 0.14 and 0.32 ± 0.11 respectively when compared to normotensive pregnant women with mean 1.56 ± 0.69. Additionally, catalase activity, total antioxidant capacity and reduced glutathione levels were decreased in hypertensive pregnant women groups compared with normotensive ones. On the other hand malondialdhyde level was increased in preeclampsia groups when compared with normalized pregnant women. Decreased visfatin level has an important pathophysiology of preeclampsia and suggests the complication in pregnancy. Also the imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant has an important causative factor in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Natural Antioxidant Vitamins Status in Pregnancies Complicated with Intrauterine Growth Restriction.

The weight of the infant at birth is a powerful predictor of infant growth and survival and is dependent on maternal health and nutrition during pregnancy. Pregnant women have a defense mechanism against increased oxidative stress composed of antioxidant enzymes and natural antioxidant vitamins like vitamin C and E. Therefore, we evaluated whether differences exist in serum levels of vitamin C and E in pregnant women complicated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). This study was done in 180 pregnant women admitted in hospital for delivery. Blood samples were collected and stored at -70°C until analysis. Among 180 pregnant women 150 were identified as IUGR pregnant women according to the weight of the infant and the remaining 30 normal healthy pregnant women as controls. Blood hemoglobin and serum vitamin C and E levels were measured in both groups. The mean hemoglobin concentration was significantly decreased (p< 0.001) in IUGR pregnant women (8.92 ± 1.35 g/dL) as compared to the normal healthy pregnant women (10.51 ± 1.04 g/dL) in our study. The serum concentration of vitamin C in the group of pregnant women with IUGR was 0.54 ± 0.15 mg/dL, whereas in the group of normal healthy pregnant women it was 0.91 ± 0.23 mg/dL. The serum vitamin E level in the normal healthy pregnant women group was 1.22 ± 0.35 mg/dL and 0.65 ± 0.24 mg/dL in IUGR pregnant women group. The serum vitamin C and E level in IUGR pregnant women group was found to be significantly decreased as compared to the normal healthy pregnant women group. The study indicates the importance of natural antioxidants vitamin C and E against increased oxidative stress in pregnancies complicated with IUGR. Therefore, it may be useful to measure serum vitamin C and E levels in IUGR pregnant women. This study suggests further research to investigate the role of these natural antioxidant vitamins in fetal growth at various gestation stages.