Plasma protein carbonyls in nonpregnant, healthy pregnant and preeclampticwomen

Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation may be impli cated in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia by causing cell (membrane) damage and impaired endothelial function. Carbonyl derivatives of proteins, or pr otein carbonyls, may be sensitive biomarkers of ROS-mediated damage. The ai m of the study was to compare levels of protein carbonyls in plasma of pree clamptic, healthy pregnant and healthy nonpregnant women. Plasma protein carbonyls were measured in 47 preeclamptic, 45 healthy pregn ant and 22 healthy nonpregnant women by using a sensitive ELISA-method. ANO VA, the unpaired t-test and Pearson's correlation were used for statistical analysis. Preeclamptic women had significantly higher plasma protein carbonyl levels than healthy pregnant women (P < 0.0001). Healthy pregnant women showed sig nificantly higher protein carbonyl levels (P < 0.001) as compared to nonpre gnant controls. The higher levels of protein carbonyls as compared to nonpregnant controls suggest that increased oxygen free radical damage occurs in normal pregnanc y and to a much higher extent in preeclampsia.