Relationship between zinc content and carbonic anhydrase activity in blood of anemic pregnant women in Turkey

Aims Carbonic anhydrase (CA) in pregnancy plays an important part in gaseous exchange across the placenta. The aim of our study was to determine the relationship between zinc content and the CA activity in blood of anemic and normal pregnant women in their third trimester, in Turkey. Methods The patients with hemoglobin values below 11 g/dL were accepted as anemic. CA enzyme activity and zinc levels in erythrocyte of anemic and non-anemic pregnant women were carried out in 27 non-anemic pregnant women and 31 anemic pregnant women. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV) levels of the participants were also tested. Results Zinc levels were lower in the anemic group compared to the non-anemic group (P= 0.049). Total CA enzyme activity was also lower in the anemic group (P= 0.044). MCV levels were found to be lower in the anemic group (P= 0.007). The decrease in these values was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion This is the first study to evaluate the zinc content in red blood cells of anemic pregnant women in the third trimester and its relationship with carbonic anhydrase activity. CA isoenzymes to work healthily, providing iron and zinc supports is important for fetal development.