Estimation of oxidative stress and its correlation with uterine arteries Doppler velocimetry in women with preeclampsia

OBJECTIVES: Estimation of oxidative stress through the measurement of lipid peroxides and malondialdehyde serum concentration as well as serum antioxidants level expressed by total antioxidants status and its correlation with Doppler velocimetry in women with preeclampsia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty four patients with preeclampsia at third trimester of gestation: 19 with the mild form and 15 with the severe form of the disease, 21 women with uncomplicated pregnancy at third trimester of gestation served as a control group. Colorimetric methods were used to estimate lipid peroxides, malondialdehyde and antioxidants serum level. In each patient Pulsatility Index and Uterine Artery Score in uterine arteries was measured. RESULTS: Serum concentration of lipid peroxides and malondialdehyde was the highest in patients with severe preeclampsia, but the statistical difference concerned only lipid peroxides level which was significantly higher in this group than in women with mild form of the disease and in the control group. Pulsatility index Uterine Artery Score values were significantly higher in women with severe preeclampsia in comparison to two other groups of patients. Lipid peroxides level significantly positively correlated with Pulsatility Index and Uterine Artery Score values in the whole studied population. CONCLUSIONS: Only severe form of preeclampsia is associated with oxidative stress which impaired placenta perfusion expressed by the increase of uterine arteries resistance.