Screening for pre-eclampsia by oxidative stress markers and uteroplacental blood flow

• Published in: Journal of obstetrics and gynaecology 2008-04, Vol.28 (3), p.285-289
• Main Authors: Anastasakis, E., Papantoniou, N., Daskalakis, G., Mesogitis, S., Antsaklis, A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Biomarkers; Case-Control Studies; Doppler; Doppler effect; Female; Fetal Growth Retardation - blood; Fetal Growth Retardation - diagnostic imaging; Follow-Up Studies; Gestational Age; Humans; Hypertension; IUGR; malondialdehyde; Malondialdehyde - analysis; Malondialdehyde - blood; Mass Screening - methods; Medical screening; Oxidative Stress; pre-eclampsia; Pre-Eclampsia - blood; Pre-Eclampsia - diagnosis; Predictive Value of Tests; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Pregnancy Trimester, Second; Probability; Prospective Studies; Regional Blood Flow - physiology; Reproductive system; Risk Assessment; ROC Curve; Sensitivity and Specificity; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color; Ultrasonography, Prenatal; uric acid; Uric Acid - analysis; Uric Acid - metabolism; uterine arteries; Uterus - blood supply; Veins & arteries
• ISSN: 0144-3615; 1364-6893
• DOI: 10.1080/01443610802042852

Summary Recent evidence suggests that the oxidative stress is an important factor in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the possible relationship between increased resistance at the Doppler assessment of the uterine arteries between 20-23 gestational weeks and biochemical markers of oxidative stress, with the development of pre-eclampsia and or growth restricted infants. This was a prospective study of 34 pregnant women with normal uteroplacental flow and 30 women with abnormal uterine arteries Doppler analysis (mean PI ≥ 1.60) during the transvaginal assessment of the uterine arteries at the routine anomaly scan. Blood samples were obtained in order to assess the plasma oxidative stress, namely malondialdehyde (MDA) and uric acid levels. The MDA was significantly higher in the group of women with abnormal uterine arteries Dopplers. This group is at increased risk for the development of pre-eclampsia. The uric acid levels did not differ significantly between the two groups of women. There was no significant difference regarding the sensitivity or the specificity of the uterine arteries Doppler examination in detecting pre-eclampsia in comparison to the combination of oxidative stress and Doppler's. Our study provides additional evidence regarding the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia. Whether antioxidant supplementation in the group of women with abnormal uterine Doppler's is effective in reducing the incidence of the disease remains to be established.