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Pre-eclampsia is a devastating multi system syndrome and a major cause of maternal, fetal, neonatal morbidity and mortality. Pre-eclampsia is associated with oxidative stress in the maternal circulation. To have an insight on the effect of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia on the neonates, the study was made to explore the oxidative status by quantification of byproducts generated during protein oxidation and oxidative DNA damage and deficient antioxidant activity in umbilical cord blood of pre-eclamptic/eclamptic mothers during fetal circulation. Umbilical cord blood during delivery from neonates born to 19 pre-eclamptic mothers, 14 eclamptic mothers and 18 normotensive mothers (uncomplicated pregnancy) as control cases was collected. 8-OHdG (8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine), protein carbonyl, nitrite, catalase, non-enzymatic antioxidants (vitamin A, E, C), total antioxidant status and iron status were determined. Significant elevation in the levels of 8-OHdG, protein carbonyl, nitrite and iron along with decreased levels of catalase, vitamin A, E, C, total antioxidant status were observed in the umbilical cord blood of pre-eclamptic and eclamptic pregnancies. These parameters might be influential variables for the risk of free radical damage in infants born to pre-eclamptic/eclamptic pregnancies. Increased oxidative stress causes oxidation of DNA and protein which alters antioxidant function. Excess iron level and decreased unsaturated iron binding capacity may be the important factor associated with oxidative stress and contribute in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia which is reflected in fetal circulation., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background & Aims: Pre-eclampsia is associated with oxidative stress in the maternal circulation. The aim of the study was to access the oxidative stress status by quantification of byproducts generated during lipid peroxidation; deficient antioxidant activity and inadequate trace elements during oxidative damage in the umbilical cord blood of pre-eclamptic/eclamptic mothers and its effect on the fetal outcome., Methods: In a case control study umbilical cord blood samples were collected during delivery from cases of pre-eclamptic/eclamptic mothers and from normotensive (uncomplicated pregnancy) subjects as controls. Concentrations of malondialdehyde, trace elements (Zn, Cu, Se, Mg) and antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GPx) were determined., Results: Decreased levels of Zinc (p < 0.001), Copper (p < 0.001), Selenium (p < 0.005), Magnesium (p < 0.05), Superoxide dismutase (p < 0.001), Glutathione Peroxidase (p < 0.001) and elevated levels of malondialdehyde (marker of lipid peroxidation) in the umbilical cord blood of pre-eclamptic and eclamptic pregnancies were observed. Positive correlation between Zn and SOD (Pearson r = 0.581, p < 0.001), Cu and SOD (Pearson r = 0.576, p < 0.001) and Se and GPx (Pearson r = 0.445, p < 0.005) was also observed., Conclusions: The reduced levels of trace elements associated with inadequate amount of antioxidant enzymes may be important contributing factor associated with oxidative stress leading to endothelial dysfunction in pre-eclamptic/eclamptic mothers., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.)