COMPLICATIONS OF PREGNANCY IN RELATION TO MATERNAL LIPID PEROXIDES, GLUTATHIONE, AND EXPOSURE TO METALS

Lipid peroxides, glutathione, and metals (lead, cadmium, and arsenic) were measured in pregnant women residing in the vicinity of a copper s melter. A diagnosis of pregnancy complications experienced by each wom an was made on the basis of interview and clinical record. Patients we re assigned to groups of normal or pathologic pregnancies (threatened spontaneous abortion, toxemia, and anemia) according to this diagnosis . Biochemical changes suggestive of increased lipid peroxidation and d ecreased antioxidant protection (involving the reduced: oxidized gluta thione balance) were found in the diagnostic groups of pregnancy compl ications. These changes were independent of measured maternal variable s. Maternal exposure to metals (as indicated by blood lead and cadmium ) was associated with a decrease in reduced glutathione in blood. Sinc e increased lipid peroxidation has been implicated in other studies as a pathogenetic factor for maternal toxemia, it is suggested that expo sure to metals during gestation could enhance the development of pregn ancy complications by increasing lipid peroxidation via depletion of r educed glutathione reserves.