PREGNANCY-INDUCED HYPERTENSION IS ASSOCIATED WITH CHANGES IN MATERNALAND UMBILICAL BLOOD ANTIOXIDANTS

Seventeen pregnancies with pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and 28 control pregnancies were analyzed with regard to maternal and fetal b lood antioxidants and lipid peroxidation products (conjugated dienes). In PIH, maternal blood levels of conjugated dienes were higher than i n normal pregnancy. Also the activities of platelet and plasma glutath ione peroxidase (GSHPx) were higher in PIH. In umbilical cord blood, t he appearance of conjugated dienes, the concentration of vitamin E and the activity of erythrocyte GSHPx were lower than the corresponding m aternal values. There was no difference between PIH and normal pregnan cy in the appearance of conjugated dienes in cord blood, but erythrocy te GSHPx and plasma vitamin A were lower in PIH. Cord blood plasma vit amin A showed a negative correlation to maternal mean arterial pressur e. We suggest that lipid peroxidation is involved in the pathogenesis of maternal PIH, and it may also have effects on the vascular function and antioxidant status of the fetus.