Sakarya Tıp Dergisi (Apr 2017)
The Role of Maternal Oxidative Stress, Iron/Zinc, Copper/Zinc Ratios and Trace Element Levels in the Pathogenesis of Preeclampsia
Abstract
Purpose: Preeclampsia (PE) is a complex disease and the underlying mechanisms are not known, yet. It is well known that oxidative stress and trace elements play a role in the pathogenesis of various diseases. Several studies have shown that the levels and proportions of trace elements are closely related to the severity of the disease. The aim of the study was toinvestigate the changes in some characteristics parameters, serum zinc, iron, copper levels, and copper/zinc and iron/zinc ratios and plasma lipid peroxidation levels in patients with mild and severe preeclampsia.Materials and Methods: Ninety healthy pregnant women and 80 pregnant women with PE which are classified as mild (n=36) and severe (n=44) preeclamptic subgroups were included. Serum copper, zinc and iron were measured by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and iron/zinc and copper/zinc ratios were calculated. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were analyzed by spectrophotometric method.Results: Plasma MDA, serum iron/zinc and copper/zinc ratios, serum copper and iron levels were found to be increased in the PE group compared to the healthy pregnant group. Serum zinclevels decreased significantly in the PE group. Serum zinc levels in severe PE group, but not in mild PE, were found to be significantly lower compared to healthy pregnant women. Serum iron levels were found to be higher in mild PE group compared to healthy pregnant control group. Serum copper and copper/zinc ratios were found to be higher in the mild and severe PE groups compared to the control group. Serum iron/zinc ratios were found to be higher in the severe PE group than in the healthy control group.Conclusion: Our study has shown that oxidative stress and trace elements play a role in the etiopathogenesis of PE. İnteractions of both trace element levels and their ratios with underlyingmechanisms of PE should be clarified in details with further studies.
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