Increased lipid peroxidation and reduced anti-oxidant activity may contribute to the development of complications in pregnancy. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that maternal serum lipid peroxidation products are increased and anti- oxidant decreased in women with mild and moderate pre-eclampsia; and study the effect of treatment with nifedipine on the above parameters.
Malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced glutathione (GSH) were measured in maternal serum in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy, in normotensive pregnant women (n=15), mild pre- eclamptic untreated control (n=6), moderate pre-eclamptic untreated control (n=6), mild and moderate pre-eclamptic women treated with nifedipine (n=6), and (n=8), respectively. Maternal serum levels of MDA and GSH were higher and lower, respectively in both cases of pre-eclampsia when compared to normotensive pregnant controls. Treatment with nifedipine shows a significant decrease and increase, respectively in MDA contents GSH levels in serum of both cases of pre-eclampsia when compared to normal pregnant. Lipid peroxidation is involved in the pathogenesis of maternal pre-eclampsia, as evidenced by a significant increase in MDA contents and reduction of protective anti-oxidant system manifested by GSH levels. Treatment with nifedipine effectively lowers blood pressure; reduce serum MDA contents and increases serum GSH levels in pre-eclamptic women. Key words: Pre-eclampsia, Malondialdehyde, Reduced glutathione, Nifedipine