Lipid peroxidation and antoxidants in preeclampsia

Objective: To determine the changes in plasma levels of lipid peroxide, vit amin E and vitamin C in women with preeclampsia and to investigate their re lationship with diastolic blood pressure. Study Design: Cross sectional stu dy consisting of 22 preeclamptic and 21 healthy pregnant women. Fasting ven ous blood samples were collected during the antepartum period and plasma le vels of malondialdehyde, alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid were measured. Results: In the preeclamptic group malondialdehyde, a lipid peroxidation pr oduct, was significantly increased, while vitamins E and C were significant ly decreased compared to healthy pregnant women. A strong correlation was d etected between malondialdehyde and antioxidant factors (vitamins E and C) with blood pressure. Conclusion: Our findings are consistent with previous studies suggesting that lipid peroxidation is an important factor in the pa thogenesis of preeclampsia. In preeclampsia, antioxidant nutrients are exce ssively utilised to counteract the cellular changes mediated by free radica ls. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.