[The role of lipid peroxidation and of the antioxidant systems in normal pregnancy and in pre-eclampsia]

Abstract

Several recent studies have reported that there is an imbalance between increased oxidant status and decreased antioxidant system in women with preeclampsia; this factor may contribute to endothelial lesion, one of the characteristics of the disease. Our studies has examined serum levels of lipid peroxides and of some of the antioxidants (glutathione and glutathione-peroxidase) in women with preeclampsia compared with normal pregnant women. The study was realised on two groups: Group A consisting of 34 normal pregnant women and group B consisting in 20 women with PEC. Serum levels of lipid peroxides have been found markedly increased and of antioxidants markedly decreased in preeclamptic serum compared with normal gestational serum. Lipid peroxides are toxic compounds that damage endothelial cells, increase peripheral vasoconstriction and increase thromboxane synthesis. Our study has pointed out that in PEC there is a deficiency in the antioxidant system which allow, together with the ischemic placenta and activated neutrophils, the enhancement of lipid peroxides. This deficiency in AO system contribute to the development and aggravation of the clinical manifestation in PEC.