Oxidative Stress In Pregnant Women Research Articles

Iron profile and Hepcidin Associated with Oxidative Stress and Metabolic Disturbances in Pregnancy

Background: A common problem during pregnancy is anemia and to reduce its prevalence the WHO andnational guidelines recommend a prescription of 30 to 60 mg of iron/day. The aim of this study was toevaluate the association of iron profile, hepcidin and oxidative stress in pregnant women prescribed withiron as a probable cause of metabolic disorders.Method: In this cohort study two groups were followed: A) women with low-risk pregnancy (WLRP), B)women with high-risk pregnancy (WHRP): women with metabolic disorders (dyslipidemias, GDM and highblood pressure). Oxidative stress enzymes, iron profile and hepcidin were measured in the second and thirdtrimesters.Results: There were significant differences in hepcidin levels between WLRP and WHRP in 2nd (3.6 ± 4.2vs 4.69 ± 3.23 P=0.005) and 3rd trimester (3.65 ± 3.44 vs 6.84 ± 5.14 P=0.02). The serum iron concentrationhad a negative relationship with catalase (-0.599; P=0.04) and a positive relationship with glutathioneperoxidase (0.729; P=0.007).Conclusion: The iron serum levels increase could induce oxidative damage in pregnancy. Increased hepcidinis a useful biomarker for determining iron availability in pregnancy and its association with antioxidantsystems.

Exposure to organophosphate ester flame retardants and plasticizers during pregnancy: Thyroid endocrine disruption and mediation role of oxidative stress

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are widely used as flame retardants and plasticizers in consumer and industrial products. Human exposure to OPEs raises concerns due to their endocrine disruptive potentials. Till now, the effects of OPEs on thyroid hormones (THs) and the mediating role of oxidative stress in pregnant women have not been studied. In this study, prenatal urinary concentrations of OPE metabolites (mOPEs), levels of free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and oxidative stress levels of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxy guanosine (8-OHdG) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured in pregnant women (n = 360) from a coastal urbanized region and moderate socioeconomic status. Neonatal TSH in heel blood was also measured in newborns (n = 309). Dibutyl phosphate (DBP) and diphenyl phosphate (DPHP) were extensively detected with a median creatinine-adjusted level of 0.19 μg/g and 0.66 μg/g, respectively, and the median of ∑mOPEs was 1.82 μg/g. DBP and DPHP were included in the analysis. The concentrations of DBP and DPHP were positively associated with either maternal or neonatal TSH levels, while not for maternal FT3 and FT4 levels. Positive associations for maternal and neonatal TSH were particularly observed in girls as stratified by newborn sex suggesting a sex-selective difference. Furthermore, 8-OHdG, the biomarker of DNA damage, was found to be a major mediator (>60%) for the association between neonatal TSH and DPHP, suggesting that DNA damage is involved in fetal thyroid function disruption. On the other hand, MDA showed a partially suppressing effect (<40%) for the associations between mOPEs and neonatal TSH, which needs further clarification. For maternal TSH, both 8-OHdG and MDA showed moderate mediating effects while the direct effects of mOPEs on maternal TSH also contributed. These results suggest thyroid disrupting effects of OPE exposure on mothers and fetuses during pregnancy and the potential influence mediated by the oxidative stresses of DNA damage and lipid peroxidation.

Ambient PM2.5 exposures and systemic biomarkers of lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant capacity in early pregnancy

Evidence for effects of PM2.5 on systemic oxidative stress in pregnant women is limited, especially in early pregnancy. To estimate the associations between ambient PM2.5 exposures and biomarkers of lipid peroxidation and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) in women with normal early pregnancy (NEP) and women with clinically recognized early pregnancy loss (CREPL), 206 early pregnant women who had measurements of serum malondialdehyde (MDA) and T-AOC were recruited from a larger case-control study in Tianjin, China from December 2017 to July 2018. Ambient PM2.5 concentrations of eight single-day lags exposure time windows before blood collection at the women’s residential addresses were estimated using temporally-adjusted land use regression models. Effects of PM2.5 exposures on percentage change in the biomarkers were estimated using multivariable linear regression models adjusted for month, temperature, relative humidity, gestational age and other covariates. Unconstrained distributed lag models were used to estimate net cumulative effects. Increased serum MDA and T-AOC were significantly associated with increases in PM2.5 at several lag exposure time windows in both groups. The net effects of each interquartile range increase in PM2.5 over the preceding 8 days on MDA were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in CREPL [52% (95% CI: 41%, 62%)] than NEP [22% (95% CI: 9%, 36%)] women. Net effects of each interquartile range increase in PM2.5 over the preceding 5 days on T-AOC were significantly lower (p = 0.010) in CREPL [14% (95% CI: 9%, 19%)] than NEP [24% (95% CI: 18%, 29%)] women. Exposure to ambient PM2.5 may induce systemic lipid peroxidation and antioxidant response in early pregnant women. More severe lipid peroxidation and insufficient antioxidant capacity associated with PM2.5 was found in CREPL women than NEP women. Future studies should focus on mechanisms of individual susceptibility and interventions to reduce PM2.5-related oxidative stress in the first trimester.

The effects of omega-3 fatty acids supplementation on metabolic status in pregnant women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Data regarding the effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) supplementation on metabolic status of pregnant women are limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis were done based on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) dealing with the effects of omega-3 PUFA supplementation on glycemic control, lipoproteins, inflammation and oxidative stress in pregnant women. Following databases were searched for eligible studies published from inception to until 2019: MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and Google scholar. Studies that evaluated the effect of omega-3 PUFA supplementation on parameters of glycemic control, lipoproteins, inflammation and oxidative stress in pregnant women were found by using the key MeSH. A study quality assessment was performed using the Cochrane Collaboration risk of bias tool and heterogeneity between studies was statistically computed using Cochrane's Q test and I-square (I2). Data were pooled using a random-effects model and weighted mean difference (WMD) was considered as the overall effect size. No significant effects of omega-3 PUFA supplementation on FPG, insulin, insulin resistance, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol, interleukin 6 (IL-6), IL-8, and malondialdehyde were found. However, omega-3 PUFA significantly increased serum concentrations of HDL-cholesterol (WMD: 3.10; 95% CI: 0.18, 6.03) and reduced C-reactive protein (WMD: -1.85; 95% CI: -2.61, -1.09). Based on the results of this meta-analysis omega-3 PUFA supplementation during pregnancy has a significant beneficial effect on HDL-cholesterol, and C-reactive protein.

Effects of probiotics on blood glucose, biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundThe role of probiotics supplementation in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains controversial. We conducted this meta-analysis to investigate the effects of probiotics on fasting blood glucose (FBG), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), total glutathione (GSH), malonaldehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in pregnant women with GDM. MethodsWe systematically searched the Cochrane Library, Embase and PubMed electronic databases up to November 2018. A meta-analysis was then conducted using weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) as effect measures. ResultsA total of 7 studies were enrolled in the final meta-analysis. Data showed that probiotics reduced FBG (WMD: −3.19mg/dl, 95% CI: −5.55 to −0.82, P=0.008) in pregnant women with GDM. Sub-group analysis suggested that the effect of probiotics on lowering FBG was more significant in patients with a baseline FBG ≥92mg/dl (WMD: −3.62mg/dl, 95% CI: −6.64 to −0.60, P=0.019), a duration of probiotic treatment ≤6 weeks (WMD: −3.24mg/dl, 95% CI: −4.96 to −1.53, P=0.000) and a dose<6×109 colony-forming unit (CFU) (WMD: −3.37mg/dl, 95% CI: −6.64 to −0.10, P=0.043). In addition, probiotics were effective in reducing hs-CRP and MDA in pregnant women with GDM, but had no significant effect on either GSH or NO. ConclusionThis meta-analysis suggests that probiotics supplementation might have a small effect on the reduction of FBG in pregnant women with GDM, and might have certain effects on some biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. However, given the heterogeneity between studies, the results should be interpreted with caution but are worthy of further investigation.

Oxidative Stress in Pregnant Women Between 12 and 20 Weeks of Gestation and Preterm Birth.

A known relationship exists between oxidative stress and preterm birth (PTB). However, few studies have measured oxidative stress prospectively in early or midpregnancy, and no studies have used electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy prospectively to predict PTB. The purpose of this study was to identify predictive relationships between antioxidants and reactive oxygen species (ROS), specifically, superoxide (O2), peroxynitrite (OONO), and hydroxyl radical (OH), using EPR spectroscopy, measured between 12 and 20 weeks of gestation and compare with the incidence of PTB. Blood was obtained from pregnant women (n = 140) recruited from a tertiary perinatal center. Whole blood was analyzed directly for ROS, O2, OONO, and OH using EPR spectroscopy. Red blood cell lysate was used to measure antioxidants. PTB was defined as parturition at <37 weeks of gestation. No differences were found between ROS, O2, OONO, or OH with the incidence of PTB. Catalase activity, glutathione, and reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio were significantly lower with PTB. Logistic regression suggests decreased catalase activity in pregnant women is associated with increased odds of delivering prematurely. We prospectively compared antioxidants and specific ROS using EPR spectroscopy in pregnant women between 12 and 20 weeks of gestation with the incidence of PTB. Results are minimal but do suggest that antioxidants-specifically decreased catalase activity-in early pregnancy may be associated with PTB; however, these findings should be cautiously interpreted and may not have clinical significance.

Effects of probiotics on blood glucose, biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

BackgroundThe role of probiotics supplementation in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains controversial. We conducted this meta-analysis to investigate the effects of probiotics on fasting blood glucose (FBG), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), total glutathione (GSH), malonaldehyde (MDA) and nitric oxide (NO) levels in pregnant women with GDM. MethodsWe systematically searched the Cochrane Library, Embase and PubMed electronic databases up to November 2018. A meta-analysis was then conducted using weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) as effect measures. ResultsA total of 7 studies were enrolled in the final meta-analysis. Data showed that probiotics reduced FBG (WMD: −3.19mg/dl, 95% CI: −5.55 to −0.82, P=0.008) in pregnant women with GDM. Sub-group analysis suggested that the effect of probiotics on lowering FBG was more significant in patients with a baseline FBG ≥92mg/dl (WMD: −3.62mg/dl, 95% CI: −6.64 to −0.60, P=0.019), a duration of probiotic treatment ≤6 weeks (WMD: −3.24mg/dl, 95% CI: −4.96 to −1.53, P=0.000) and a dose<6×109 colony-forming unit (CFU) (WMD: −3.37mg/dl, 95% CI: −6.64 to −0.10, P=0.043). In addition, probiotics were effective in reducing hs-CRP and MDA in pregnant women with GDM, but had no significant effect on either GSH or NO. ConclusionThis meta-analysis suggests that probiotics supplementation might have a small effect on the reduction of FBG in pregnant women with GDM, and might have certain effects on some biomarkers of inflammation and oxidative stress. However, given the heterogeneity between studies, the results should be interpreted with caution but are worthy of further investigation.

Effects of Probiotic Supplement in Pregnant Women with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background Previous studies showed that probiotics could improve glycemic control and attenuate some of the adverse effects of type 2 diabetes. However, whether the effects are generalizable to gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains uncertain. Objective We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplement in GDM. Method PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and EBSCO were systematically searched for relevant literature published through January 2019. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of probiotic supplement on one or more of the following in GDM were included: pregnancy outcome (the primary outcome), glycemic control, blood lipid profile, and inflammation and oxidative stress. Two reviewers independently extracted data and assessed the risk of bias in studies. Meta-analysis was conducted by using the fixed effects model unless substantial heterogeneity was found among studies. Results Eleven randomized trials involving 719 participants were included for analysis. Eight of the trials were from Iran. Probiotics were given alone in eight trials and synbiotics in three trials. Though the components of probiotics varied, Lactobacillus was included in all trials and Bifidobacterium in all except one. The duration of intervention ranged from 4 to 8 weeks. Almost all trials (10/11) had a low risk of bias. Probiotic supplementation reduced the risk of a newborn's hyperbilirubinemia by 74% and improved four biomarkers for glycemic control (fasting blood glucose, fasting serum insulin, homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance, and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index), two biomarkers for lipid profile (triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol), and four biomarkers for inflammation and oxidative stress (total glutathione, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, and total antioxidant capacity). But significant heterogeneity was observed in the meta-analyses on the four biomarkers related to glycemic control and on triglycerides, which could not be explained by prespecified subgroup analyses according to the mean age of participants and intervention type (i.e., probiotics or synbiotics). The effects on the risk of preterm delivery, macrosomia and a newborns' hypoglycemia, gestational age, total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol were not statistically significant. Conclusion Probiotic supplementation seemed to be able to reduce the risk of a newborn's hyperbilirubinemia and improve glycemic control, blood lipid profiles and inflammation and oxidative stress in pregnant women with GDM. However, due to the heterogeneity among existing studies, the surrogate nature of outcomes, and/or the fact that most studies were from Iran, the clinical significance and generalizability of the above findings remain uncertain. Further studies are warranted to address the limitations of existing evidence and better inform the management of GDM.

Influence of selenium supplementation on carbohydrate metabolism and oxidative stress in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

In the presence of conflicting advice about the relationship between selenium-type II diabetes-oxidative stress trio, this study aimed to assess the consequences of selenium supplementation on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level, antioxidant activities of selenodependent and non-selenodependent enzymes, and other markers of oxidative stress studied for the first time during gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). This research was carried out among 180 pregnant Algerian women, 60 of whom were in good health, 60 women with GDM did not take supplements, and 60 women with GDM took selenium orally (50 mg/d) for 12 weeks starting from their second trimester of pregnancy. Blood samples were taken in order to assay FPG level and oxidative stress markers. Selenium supplementation during GDM has demonstrated its hypoglycemic power in the significant decline of FPG level, and its antioxidant properties in the significant reinforcement of antioxidant activities of erythrocyte selenodependent enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase), the significant increase in erythrocyte catalase and superoxide dismutase activities simultaneously with the highest decrease in erythrocyte and plasma malondialdehyde levels. This decrease was only significant for plasma carbonyl proteins, which was not the case for erythrocyte carbonyl proteins. The recourse to selenium supplementation by seleno-deficient pregnant women with GDM is beneficial for maternal health. This micronutrient exploits its antioxidant and insulin-mimetic properties in the maintenance of blood glucose homeostasis and the fight against oxidative stress, and consequently, its supplementation delays the occurrence of GDM complications.

Biomarkers of oxidative stress in pregnant women with recurrent miscarriages

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the markers of oxidative stress (OS), as well as the magnesium (Mg) concentration, pregnancy-associated plasma protein A (PAPP-A) and human chorionic gonadotropin (β-hCG) values in patients with previous recurrent miscarriages, with the purpose of comparing the level of OS with normal pregnancy. Methods The study was conducted as a prospective study, which included a total of 95 pregnant women divided into two groups. In the study group (n = 35), there were women with at least three consecutive previous miscarriages. The control group (n = 60) consisted of healthy pregnant women without previous miscarriages and complications in pregnancy. Blood samples were taken between the 11th and 14th weeks of gestation, and the values of superoxide dismutase (SOD-1), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and total antioxidant status (TAS) in the serum, as well as the Mg concentration, PAPP-A and β-hCG values were determined. Results The values of SOD and GHS-Px were statistically higher in the study group, while the values of TAS were statistically significantly higher in the control group. The values of the Mg concentration were statistically significantly higher in the control group, while the values of β-hCG were statistically significantly higher in the study group. When the study group was divided into subgroups according to the outcome of pregnancy, there were statistical differences in the level of GSH-Px, SOD between miscarriages and the term delivery group, as well as in the Mg concentration between miscarriages and the term delivery group and between the term and preterm delivery groups. Higher values of SOD and GHS-Px, and lower values of TAS and Mg concentration could be used as markers for the prediction of spontaneous miscarriages. Conclusions The results of this research indicated higher OS and exhaustion of antioxidant mechanisms in early pregnancy in a group with recurrent miscarriages. Also, lower values of serum Mg concentration could be one of the markers for the prediction of spontaneous miscarriages.

Correction to "Urinary Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Metabolite Associations with Biomarkers of Inflammation, Angiogenesis, and Oxidative Stress in Pregnant Women".

Environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is prevalent and may adversely impact pregnancy and development of the fetus. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine urinary PAH metabolites in potential association with mediators of these outcomes. To do so, we measured a panel of 12 inflammatory, angiogenic, and oxidative stress biomarkers in plasma or urine from women in their third trimester of pregnancy (n = 200). Urinary PAH metabolites were highly detectable (>88%) in the study population, and most were higher in women who had lower education levels, higher body mass index, and who were African-American. Some PAH metabolites showed consistent positive associations with the plasma inflammation marker C-reactive protein (CRP) and the urinary oxidative stress markers 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and 8-isoprostane. For example, an interquartile range increase in 2-hydroxynapthalene was associated with a 35% increase in CRP (95% confidence interval = −0.13, 83.2), a 14%...

Trimester specific PM2.5 exposure and fetal growth in Ohio, 2007–2010

BackgroundExposure to particulate matter, particularly with aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 µm (PM2.5), may increase inflammation and oxidative stress in pregnant women and affect fetal growth. We examined trimester specific PM2.5 exposure levels and small for gestational age (SGA) using the statewide birth registry of Ohio from 2007 to 2010. MethodsExposure to PM2.5 in each trimester and for each gestational week was determined using data from 57 Environmental Protection Agency network monitoring stations across the state of Ohio. We restricted the data to 224,921 singleton live births, with a gestational age of 20–42 weeks, no genetic disorders or congenital abnormalities, and who had home addresses within a 10 km radius of any PM2.5 monitoring station. We estimated odds ratios of SGA using Generalized Linear Models (GLMs) and Distributed Lag Models (DLMs), and adjustment for maternal age, race, education, parity, body mass index, insurance type, tobacco use, prenatal care initiation, birth year, season of birth, and sex of the baby. ResultsMean PM2.5 levels during the entire pregnancy were 13.03 µg/m3 with a standard deviation of 1.57 µg/m3. Covariates adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals of a 10 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 levels with a 10 km buffer radius for SGA and trimesters modeled separately were 0.94 (0.88, 1.00) for the first trimester, 0.93 (0.86, 1.00) for the second trimester, 1.07 (1.00, 1.15) for the third trimester, and 0.92 (0.81, 1.06) for the entire pregnancy. When a 5 km buffer radius was used, adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for SGA were 0.97 (0.89, 1.05) for the first trimester, 0.96 (0.88, 1.05) for the second trimester, 1.09 (1.02, 1.17) for the third trimester, and 0.99 (0.85, 1.14) for the overall pregnancy, indicating sensitivity to buffer choice. DLMs showed gestational weeks 30–35 to be a particular window of vulnerability. ConclusionIncreasing exposure to PM2.5 during the third trimester of pregnancy was associated with a small increase in risk of SGA in this population-based study. Selection of a buffer radius significantly impacted our results in the first trimester, but not in the third trimester.

Erratum: "Urinary Phthalate Metabolites and Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Pregnant Women: A Repeated Measures Analysis".

Vol. 127, No. 1 ErratumOpen AccessErratum: “Urinary Phthalate Metabolites and Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Pregnant Women: A Repeated Measures Analysis”is correction ofUrinary Phthalate Metabolites and Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Pregnant Women: A Repeated Measures Analysis Kelly K. Ferguson, Thomas F. McElrath, Yin-Hsiu Chen, Bhramar Mukherjee, and John D. Meeker Kelly K. Ferguson Search for more papers by this author , Thomas F. McElrath Search for more papers by this author , Yin-Hsiu Chen Search for more papers by this author , Bhramar Mukherjee Search for more papers by this author , and John D. Meeker Search for more papers by this author Published:8 January 2019CID: 019001https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP4854AboutSectionsPDF ToolsDownload CitationsTrack Citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InReddit Within the LIFECODES birth cohort, the authors found that they were reverse-coding sex so that any results presented on female fetuses are actually representative of results in male fetuses, and vice versa. This resulted in two minor errors in this manuscript.In the first paragraph of the “Results” section, “More than half of infants were female (55%)” should read “More than half of infants were male (55%).”In the fourth paragraph of the “Results” section, “No statistically significant differences in oxidative stress biomarkers and few differences in urinary phthalate metabolites were observed by fetus sex (lower MiBP concentrations in mothers of female vs. male fetus)” should read “No statistically significant differences in oxidative stress biomarkers and few differences in urinary phthalate metabolites were observed by fetus sex (lower MiBP concentrations in mothers of male vs. female fetuses).”The authors regret these errors.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsRelated articlesUrinary Phthalate Metabolites and Biomarkers of Oxidative Stress in Pregnant Women: A Repeated Measures Analysis14 November 2014Environmental Health Perspectives Vol. 127, No. 1 January 2019Metrics About Article Metrics Publication History Manuscript received10 December 2018Manuscript accepted12 December 2018Originally published8 January 2019 Financial disclosuresPDF download License information EHP is an open-access journal published with support from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health. All content is public domain unless otherwise noted. Note to readers with disabilities EHP strives to ensure that all journal content is accessible to all readers. However, some figures and Supplemental Material published in EHP articles may not conform to 508 standards due to the complexity of the information being presented. If you need assistance accessing journal content, please contact [email protected]. Our staff will work with you to assess and meet your accessibility needs within 3 working days.

Urinary Measures of Glyphosate and Oxidative Stress in Pregnant Women

Glyphosate (GLY) is the most heavily used herbicide in the United States. Its residues found in all environmental mediums, major crops, and food items that are daily consumed by Americans. In-vivo ...

The effects of yoga exercise on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in pregnant women

Abstract Background Yoga is an ancient form of exercise and derives from Indian culture. Numerous studies showed that yoga could control oxidative stress in the body, but the effect on pregnancy is unknown. Objective The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effects of yoga exercise on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in pregnant women. Material and methods A total of sixty two pregnant women were divided into two study groups: the control group (without any treatment) and the group of pregnant women who received regular yoga exercises. Analysis of F2-isoprostane and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) was performed by using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidant capacity were analyzed using a spectrophotometer. Results F2-isoprostane and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE) levels were significantly lower for the group given regular yoga exercises than that of controls (p Conclusion Yoga exercises suppress lipid peroxidation in pregnant women through increased endogenous antioxidants. Thus, yoga is among the methods that can be safely given to control oxidative stress in pregnant women.

Oxidative stress in pregnant women with diabetes mellitus

Oxidative stress (OS) plays an important role in embryo development, implantation, placentation, fetal development and labour. Diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with an increase in OS processes. However, the expression of OS biomarkers in pregnant women with DM remains unclear. Based on a literature review, the features of the pro- and anti-oxidant systems of pregnant women with different types of DM have been established. Pregnancy in patients with DM has been shown to be characterised by an activation of OS processes. This leads to an overexpression of free radicals (peroxynitrite), toxic derivatives (malonic dialdehyde, 8-isoprostane) and specific enzymes (asymmetric dimethylarginine, catalase) and a decrease in the synthesis of antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and uric acid). The modified expression of these biomarkers is observed both in the blood and the placenta of pregnant women. These disorders can cause an unfavourable course of pregnancy, abnormal development of the placenta and development of adverse perinatal outcomes in pregnant women with DM. Nevertheless, given the inconsistency of data obtained, further scientific studies are needed to clarify this issue.

Oxidative Stress in Women Treated with Atosiban for Impending Preterm Birth.

Preterm birth is defined as delivery before 37 completed weeks of pregnancy, and it is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Oxidative stress is recognized as an important factor in the pathogenesis of premature labor. We conducted this analysis to investigate the safety of administration of the tocolytic drug Atosiban—a reversible, competitive antagonist of the oxytocin receptor in the treatment of preterm birth and its impact on the level of oxidative stress in pregnant women after 48 hours of tocolytic treatment. This prospective study was conducted between March 2016 and August 2017 at the Obstetric Clinic of the Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital Research Institute. Total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) values as well as 3-nitrotyrosine, carbonyl, and thiol group levels were measured using an ELISA test in serum and plasma of 56 pregnant women before and after 48 hours of continuous administration of Atosiban. We found that TAS levels decreased almost twice after the 48-hour drug administration (0.936 ± 0.360 mmol/L vs. 0.582 ± 0.305 mmol/L, P < 0.001) while TOS increased from 18.217 ± 16.093 μmol/L to 30.442 ± 30.578 μmol/L (P < 0.001). We also found a significant increase in OSI index—almost a threefold increase from 0.022 ± 0.022 to 0.075 ± 0.085, P < 0.001. In addition, statistically significant differences in the level of carbonyl groups were found. It increased from 65.358 ± 31.332 μmol/L to 97.982 ± 38.047 μmol/L (P < 0.001), which indicates increased oxidation of plasma proteins. Furthermore, patients who gave birth prematurely had higher levels of TOS after a 48-hour drug administration than the second group with labor after 37 weeks of pregnancy (42.803 ± 34.683 μmol/L vs. 25.792 ± 27.821 μmol/L, P < 0.031). The obtained results clearly indicate that pregnant women during tocolytic treatment with Atosiban are in a state of increased oxidative stress and occurrence of preterm birth can be associated with this phenomenon. This trial is registered with NCT03570294.

Prooksidacioni status kod trudnica koje boluju od trombofilije nakon prvog trimestra trudnoće

Introduction: Thrombophilia is defined as a hemostatic disorder which results in thrombosis. That disorder can be permanent or transient. Also, thrombophilia can be of inherited or acquired nature. Pregnancy is a state of increased oxidative stress, due to high metabolic demands and needs for oxygen. Objective: Our main aim was to determine the levels of the oxidative stress markers in healthy pregnant women and in women that suffer from thrombophilia and determining the correlation between thrombophilia in the first trimester of pregnancy and oxidative stress. Materials and methods: This was a longitudinal study which consisted of 70 study participants, divided into two equal groups: healthy pregnant women (control group) and pregnant women that suffer from thombophilia (experimental group). Blood samples were taken from both groups in the first trimester of pregnancy (11.-14. gestational week), and were used to measure oxidative stress markers (O2-, H2O2, TBARS and NO). Results: These results show that there is a statistically significant (**p<0.01) elevation of oxidative stress markers (O2-, H2O2, NO) in the experimental group, except for TBARS, which levels were significantly lower (**p<0.01). Conclusion: The results of this study show that there is an evident increase in all of the measured pro-oxidative parameters, except for TBARS. Nevertheless, because of these high levels of H2O2, O2- i NO, we can expect their elevation during the second and third trimester, which will probably cause the rise of TBARS as well. The findings of this study point out the presence of oxidative stress in pregnant women with thrombophilia, which present an additional risk factor.

The Effect of Nitric Oxide Pollution on Oxidative Stress in Pregnant Women Living in Durban, South Africa.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect nitric oxide (NO x ) pollution had on maternal serum 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels and neonatal outcomes in pregnant women living in Durban, South Africa (SA). Women, in their third trimester with singleton pregnancies, were recruited from the heavily industrialised south (n=225) and less industrialised north (n=152). Biomarker levels of serum 8-OHdG concentrations were analysed, and the women were genotyped for glutathione-S-transferases pi 1 (GSTP1) and glutathione-S-transferases mu 1 (GSTM1) polymorphisms. The level of NO x pollution in the two regions was determined by using land use regression modelling. The serum 8-OHdG was shown to correlate significantly with NO x levels; this relationship was strengthened in the south (p<0.05). This relationship was still observed after adjusting for maternal characteristics. GSTP1 was significantly associated with the south region, where the variant (AG+GG) genotype was associated with increased 8-OHdG levels as a result of NO x exposure (p<0.05). GSTM1 null genotype was associated with a positive correlation between NO x and 8-OHdG levels (p<0.05). NO x levels were found marginally to reduce gestational age (p<0.05) with mothers carrying male neonates. Variant GSTP1 and living in the north were factors that contributed to gestational age reduction (p<0.05). Our study demonstrated that NO x exposure resulted in increased 8-OHdG levels in pregnant women living in Durban, SA, which led to gestational age reduction. The GSTP1 variant increased susceptibility of individuals to harmful effects of NO x .

Urinary Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Metabolite Associations with Biomarkers of Inflammation, Angiogenesis, and Oxidative Stress in Pregnant Women.

Environmental exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is prevalent and may adversely impact pregnancy and development of the fetus. The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine urinary PAH metabolites in potential association with mediators of these outcomes. To do so, we measured a panel of 12 inflammatory, angiogenic, and oxidative stress biomarkers in plasma or urine from women in their third trimester of pregnancy (n = 200). Urinary PAH metabolites were highly detectable (>88%) in the study population, and most were higher in women who had lower education levels, higher body mass index, and who were African-American. Some PAH metabolites showed consistent positive associations with the plasma inflammation marker C-reactive protein (CRP) and the urinary oxidative stress markers 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and 8-isoprostane. For example, an interquartile range increase in 2-hydroxynapthalene was associated with a 35% increase in CRP (95% confidence interval = -0.13, 83.2), a 14% increase in 8-OHdG (95% confidence interval =0.59, 30.1), and a 48% increase in 8-isoprostane (95% confidence interval =16.7, 87.0). These data suggest that exposure to PAHs may cause systemic changes during pregnancy that could lead to adverse pregnancy or developmental outcomes; however, these results should be corroborated in a larger study population.