OXIDATIVE STRESS AND ANTIOXIDANTS AMONG WOMEN WITH PREECLAMPSIA AT A TERTIARY HEALTH FACILITY IN NORTH-WESTERN NIGERIA

Olatunji G.O.*, Adamu N.A., Lawal I., Shehu A., Ibrahim U.A.

ABSTRACT

Background: Preeclampsia is a potentially dangerous complication of pregnancy. The cause remains largely unknown. Oxidative stress, which is a negative balance between oxidants and antioxidants, has been implicated in its pathogenesis. Free radicals released by the ischemic placenta is thought to be responsible for the impaired endothelial cell function. We evaluated the oxidative stress marker (oxidant), malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidants (Superoxide dismutase and Zinc) in preeclamptic women, and their correlation with severity of preeclampsia. Materials and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study of women diagnosed with preeclampsia matched with normotensive pregnant women. Serum MDA, Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Zinc of the participants were measured. Severity of preeclampsia was assessed by the blood pressure at presentation. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 24. Results: There was no difference in the level of MDA between women with preeclampsia and normotensive pregnant women (p = 0.505). SOD was significantly higher (p < 0.001), with a positive correlation with severity of preeclampsia (Systolic blood pressure (ρ = 0.289, p < 0.001) diastolic blood pressure ρ = 0.258, p < 0.001), while zinc was significantly lower (p < 0.001), with a negative correlation with severity of preeclampsia (systolic blood pressure ρ = - 0.212, p = 0.004), diastolic blood pressure ρ = -0.203, p = 0.006). Conclusion: In this study, there was a difference in the level of the antioxidants between women with preeclampsia and normotensive pregnant women, which correlated with the severity of preeclampsia.

Keywords: Oxidative stress; Preeclampsia; Malondialdehyde; Antioxidants.