Maternal and cord blood malondialdehyde and antioxidant vitamin levels in normal and preeclamptic women

Abstract

Introduction: We aimed to assess the relationship between lipoperoxidation and maternal/cord blood antioxidant capacity and to examine whether the maternal and cord plasma concentrations of malondialdehyde and of vitamins E, A, and C were different between preeclamptic and healthy pregnant women. Methods: We compared oxidative and anti-oxidative system in maternal and cord blood of two groups of pair-matched mothers and neonates. Their blood malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant vitamins E, A, and C were estimated and compared to evaluate if pro-oxidative status of preeclampsia differs from the status in the cord blood of pair-matched neonate. Results: MDA content in preeclamptic maternal plasma was significantly higher (P < 0.001) compared to control, but its level was significantly lower in the preeclamptic cord. The concentrations of MDA were significantly lower (P < 0.001) In the cord plasma of preeclamptics compared to maternal plasma. Vitamin E concentration was lower in severely preeclamptic maternal plasma (P = 0.048). Vitamin A concentration was significantly lower (P = 0.009) In preeclamptic plasma compared to normotensive group. Interestingly, there was no significant difference between maternal and cord levels in severely preeclamptic patients. However, the cord plasma had significantly lower concentrations of vitamin A compared with those of maternal plasma. Contrary to vitamins E and A, vitamin C in the cord plasma collected from both groups showed significantly higher concentrations. Conclusions: We hypothesize that antioxidant capacity of the cord blood is sufficient, and placental barrier is adequate, to shield the fetus from oxidatiye injury due to increased oxidative stress of a preeclamptic mother. Thus, we conclude that the oxidative stress status is low in the blood of neonates compared to its level in the pair-matched preeclamptic mothers. Further studies are needed to explore strategies so that the normal levels of antioxidant vitamins are maintained to combat preeclampsia in women at high risk.