Changes in oxidative stress and antioxidative potency during pregnancy period

Abstract

Purpose
Oxidative stress is defined as "the breakdown of balance between oxidative and antioxidant processes in the body". There are many studies on oxidative stress, and also reports on pregnancy-induced hypertension and gestational diabetes mellitus during the perinatal period. However, the changes in oxidative stress and antioxidants during the pregnancy period remain unclear. The aim of this study was to elucidate the relationship between changes in oxidative stress and antioxidative potency at 2 points during the pregnancy period, and to rank the oxidative stress and antioxidative potency during the pregnancy period.
Methods
The test group consisted of 44 women who were examined in a hospital in one prefecture, from whom consent was obtained after the study was explained. Blood samples were obtained twice, during the 16^th to 18^th weeks of pregnancy (as the 1^st stage in the pregnancy period) and during the 27^th to 29^th weeks of pregnancy (as the 2^nd stage in the pregnancy period). At the same time, we researched their pregnancy. The blood samples were assayed for reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP) by F.R.E.E. (Free Radical Elective Evaluator).
Results
Oxidative stress and antioxidative potency at the 1st stage during the pregnancy period were 521.2±100.6 U.CARR on the d-ROMs test and 2004.0±342.0 μM on the BAP test. In the 2^nd stage in the pregnancy period, the results were 539.1±114.9 U.CARR on the d-ROMs test and 1775.6±310.7 μM on the BAP test. Oxidative stress during the pregnancy period was over 501 U.CARR, indicating quite strong oxidative stress. Antioxidative potency during the pregnancy period was borderline at the 1^st stage, but dropped to a significantly low level (p=0.003) at the 2^nd stage.
Conclusion
We found that oxidative stress was high and antioxidative potency was low during the pregnancy period. Oxidative stress was higher and antioxidative potency was lower in pregnant women than in groups of smokers, people taking oral contraceptive, and obese people.