Blood selenium and glutathione peroxidases in miscarriage

Objective To investigate the selenium glutathione and glutathione peroxidas e (glutathione-Px) levels in blood in women who experience miscarriage. Design An observational study. Participants Furry women with miscarriage occurring in the first and second trimesters. Methods Concentrations were measured in whole blood and plasma. Gliutathion e was measured in red cells and glutathione-Px activity was measured in the red cells and plasma. The results were compared with 36 women in the same period of viable pregnancy and 28 age-matched, healthy, non-pregnant contro ls. Results The selenium concentrations in whole blood and plasma of women foll owing abortion were the same as in viable pregnancy, but were significantly lower compared with controls. The glutathione levels were significantly hi gher in women with miscarriage compared with viable pregnancies and with no n-pregnant women. Red cell and plasma glutathione-Px activities of women wh o had had a miscarriage were significantly lower than in both normal pregna ncies and the control group. Conclusion The decreased activities of the antioxidant enzymes, red cell an d plasma glutathione-Px, may play an important role in the aetrology of spo ntaneous abortion.