ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia (PE) is a systemic pregnancy-related disorder characterized by hypertension,
proteinuria, and edema. Free radicals seem to play an important role in the induction
of endothelial dysfunction in PE.
AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate serum levels of nitric oxide (NO),
peroxynitrite (ONOO−), paraoxonase (PON-1), malondialdehyde (MDA), and lipid profile in preeclamptic patients
compared to the women with normal pregnancy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 68 pregnant women were recruited. They were divided into two groups - Group
A, 40 women were a newly diagnosed with PE and Group B, 28 women with normal pregnancy.
Anthropometric measurements including body mass index and blood pressure in accordance
with biochemical measurements including NO, ONOO−, PON-1, MDA, and lipid profile were done for preeclamptic pregnant women compared
to the controls.
RESULTS: Pregnant women with pre-eclampsia illustrated insignificant differences in the age
(31.22±2.87) compared to the age of control P > 0.05. There were significant changes in the body mass index (BMI) , type of delivery
and smoking status of pregnant women with pre-eclampsia compared to the control P < 0.05. Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were high in pregnant women with
pre-eclampsia compared to the control P < 0.01. PON-1 and NO serum levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.01) while ONOO− and MDA serum levels were significantly increased in PE compared
to the women with normal pregnancy.
Conclusions: This study concluded that PE is associated with the augmentation of oxidative stress
and reduction of endogenous antioxidant capacity regarding PON-1.
Keywords
Antioxidant capacity - hypertension - nitric oxide - paraoxonase - peroxynitrite -
preeclampsia - proteinuria