Increased oxygen free radical production during pregnancy may impair vascular reactivity in preeclamptic women

Abstract

To determine whether enhanced oxidative stress during pregnancy impairs vascular endothelial function and improves after delivery in preeclamptic women, we measured serum parameters of oxidative stress and endothelial function during pregnancy and 1 month after delivery in women with or without preeclampsia. We evaluated 18 participants with uncomplicated pregnancies, 11 with mild preeclampsia and 13 with severe preeclampsia. The plasma concentrations of reactive oxygen metabolite derivatives (d-ROMs) were measured, and the biological antioxidant potential (BAP) was determined to evaluate the oxygen free radicals and antioxidants, respectively. Flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) was also assessed as a marker of endothelial function. FMD was decreased significantly in both preeclamptic groups compared with control during pregnancy. FMD did not change after delivery in the control group, but it significantly increased after delivery in both the mildly and severely preeclamptic groups, nearing control levels 1 month after delivery (mild, 6.5±3.6-9.0±3.5%; severe, 4.3±3.3-9.7±2.6%). No changes in d-ROM concentrations were observed in the control group; however, the concentrations in both the mildly and severely preeclamptic groups significantly decreased to normal levels 1 month after delivery (mild, 562.0±106.5-430.5±90.5 CARR U (Carratelli units); severe, 681.0±239.0-411.8±69.7 CARR U). The plasma BAP levels did not change significantly in all three groups. A negative correlation between FMD and d-ROM concentrations was observed in the preeclamptic group, but not in the control group (r=-0.497; P<0.05). Our findings indicated that enhanced oxidative stress during pregnancy may impair endothelial function and improve after delivery in preeclamptic women.

Oxidative stress markers in hypertensive states of pregnancy: preterm and term disease

“…Previous studies of oxidative stress markers during pregnancy or at the time of delivery have used comparable measures such as lipid hydroperoxide and malondialdehyde concentration (Morris et al, 1998), total antioxidant capacity or biological antioxidant potential (Hsieh et al, 2012; Gomes et al, 2013; Watanabe et al, 2013). There is a substantial body of evidence showing that PE is a state of elevated placental oxidative stress (Burton and Jauniaux, 2011).…”

Serum soluble (pro)renin receptor levels in patients with essential hypertension

“…Percent changes in brachial artery diameter were calculated in response to increased flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), an index of endothelial function, as previously described 18,19 by using UNEX EF38G (UNEX, Nagoya, Japan).…”

Decreased circulating anandamide levels in preeclampsia

“…Increasing evidence suggests that an exaggerated maternal systemic inflammatory response to pregnancy with an increase in the ratios of peripheral blood Th1/Th2 and Th17/ regulatory T cells, a systemic oxidative stress, as well as an imbalance between circulating angiogenic and anti-angiogenic factors plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of the disease. [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Endocannabinoids are endogenous ligands that bind to the similar receptor as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (Δ 9 -THC), the most potent psychotropic constituent of marijuana. The most studied endocannabinoid is N-arachidonoylethanolamine (also known as anandamide), which is reported to have a central role in female reproduction, particularly in decidualization, 17 oviductal transport, 18 preimplantation embryo development, 19 timely embryo implantation and ensuring receptive uterine environment.…”