PEROXIDATIVE AND GLUTATHIONE STATUS IN UTERUS AND PLACENTA AFTER NORMAL AND PATHOLOGICAL PREGNANCY

In 10 women with disturbed pregnancies without hyper tension, reduced (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) as well as lipid peroxides as th iobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were determined in the p lacenta and in the uterine tissue after unexpected stress-induced Caes arian section (group II). Production of TBARS was also measured in vit ro in the 9000 x g supernatant of both tissues. The results were compa red with those from women after normal pregnancy and expected Caesaria n section (group I). After normal pregnancy higher TBARS and lower GSH with higher GSSG/GSH ratio were found in the placenta in comparison t o the uterine tissue, indicating an oxidant/antioxidant imbalance in t he placenta. No statistically significant differences were shown betwe en the parameters of groups I and II. The possible oxidant stress asso ciated with disturbed pregnancy and subsequent unexpected Caesarian se ction in this study was insufficient to alter tissue levels of glutath ione nor the peroxidative status of placenta and uterus.