Role of oxidative stress in preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of oxidative stress and DNA damage in preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). Material and Methods: Twenty-four patients with preeclampsia, 20 patients with IUGR fetus and 37 healthy pregnant women were enrolled in the study. The total oxidant status (TOS) and antioxidant status (TAS) of plasma were measured using a novel automated colorimetric measurement method. Sister chromatid exchange (SCE) and micronuclei analysis were performed on peripheral blood lymphocytes of cases and controls. Results: Women whose pregnancies were complicated with preeclampsia and IUGR had elevated levels of TOS and TAS when compared with healthy pregnant women (median TOS values: 9.73, 10.6 and 8.06, P = 0.001; median TAS values: 1 77, 1.54 and 1.44, P < 0.001, respectively). The frequencies of SCE were only found to be increased in women with IUGR fetus compared with healthy pregnant women (8.81 vs 7.5, respectively, P = 0.02). Multivariable linear regression analysis for both TOS and TAS showed a significant relation between these variables and uric acid. Conclusion: Increased oxidative stress and antioxidative defense mechanisms may contribute to disease processes both in preeclampsia and IUGR.