Dynamic thiol-disulfide homeostasis in hyperemesis gravidarum

OBJECTIVE: To determine serum thiol-disulfide homeostasis in hyperemesis gravidarum. STUDY DESIGN: Twenty-six pregnant women with hyperemesis gravidarum and 37 healthy pregnant women were included in the study. Native thiol, disulfide and total thiol concentrations were measured with a novel automated method. RESULTS: Serum disulfide levels were 15.68 +/- 4.41 mu mol l(-1) in the hyperemesis gravidarum group and 13.49 +/- 2.81 mu mol l(-1) in the healthy group (P = 0.031). Native thiol levels were 213.86 +/- 26.29 mu mol l(-1) in the hyperemesis gravidarum group and 232.18 +/- 19.21 mu mol l(-1) in healthy group (P = 0.004), and total thiol levels were 245.23 +/- 28.58 mu mol l(-1) in the hyperemesis gravidarum group and 259.17 +/- 19.94 mu mol l(-1) in the healthy group (P = 0.038). CONCLUSION: Native and total thiol were deficient in the hyperemesis gravidarum group and this deficiency was correlated with the severity of the disease. The thiol-disulfide balance has shifted to the oxidative side. This metabolic disturbance may have a role in the pathogenesis of hyperemesis gravidarum.