Oxidative stress elevated DNA damage and homocysteine level in normal pregnant women in a segment of Pakistani population

Abstract

Maternal oxidative stress during pregnancy may impair fetal growth and help in the development of diseases in adulthood. The aim of current study was to assess total oxidation status (TOS), related parameters and their relationship to DNA damage (%) and homocysteine level in normal pregnant women in low-income participants. In a cross-sectional study healthy women were grouped as normal, while age matched nulliparous and singleton pregnancies were included for first, second and third trimester groups. TOS (P<0.01), melanodialdehyde (MDA) (P<0.001), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P<0.01), triiodothyronine (T3) (P<0.01), thyroxine (T4) (P<0.01), and homocysteine (P<0.001), in pregnant women were significantly higher as compared to normal healthy women. While serum total proteins (P<0.01), albumin (P<0.01) and total antioxidant status (TAS) (P<0.001) decreased significantly as compared to normal healthy women. Women in third trimester showed a significantly high level of body temperature (P<0.01), triglyceride (P<0.01), LDL-cholesterol (P<0.05), AST (P<0.01), T3 (P<0.01), homocysteine (P<0.001), TOS (P<0.01) and MDA (P<0.001) but a lower concentration of serum proteins, albumin and TAS at the end of the pregnancy. Pearson correlation indicated a positive relationship of homocysteine with triglycerides (P<0.027), TOS (P<0.01), MDA (P<0.035) and had a negative relationship with total protein (P<0.026). DNA damage was strongly related with T3 (P<0.008), TOS (P<0.02), MDA (P<0.037) and MBI (P<0.048) profiles of pregnant women. These changes were considered normal for pregnant women having optimum blood pressure and normal child birth. Hormonal influences and hemodilution may contribute towards the observed changes in this study.

Gestation Dependant Changes in Angiogenic Factors and Their Associations with Fetal Growth Measures in Normotensive Pregnancy

“…Further, it has been proposed that oxidative stress provokes the release of sFlt-1 to a similar or greater extent than hypoxia [37]. Various longitudinal studies have shown increasing oxidative stress during pregnancy [38], [39], [40]. We have earlier reported a positive association between oxidative stress and sFlt-1 in preeclampsia [8].…”

TNF-α G-308A genetic variants, serum CRP-hs concentration and DNA damage in obese women

“…Obesity is characterized by the, adipocyte hypertrophy, elevated production of reactive oxygen species, cytokines, chronic inflammation, disturbances in insulin and glucose metabolism [16][17][18]. Association between the occurrence of DNA lesions and enhanced body weight has been also reported [19][20][21]. Both inflammation and metabolic disturbances can cause DNA damage [22][23][24].…”

Joint Effect of Maternal Plasma Homocysteine and Prepregnancy Obesity on Child Blood Pressure: A Prospective Birth Cohort Study

“…41,42 Moreover, total oxidation status increases Hcy levels, and is known to generate reactive oxygen species such as H 2 O 2 . Accordingly, it has been proposed that elevated Hcy concentration causes endothelial dysfunction; thus, women who have hyperhomocysteinemia may be likely to experience endothelial dysfunction in the placental vasculature, 13,43 which may also have an effect on offspring cardiometabolic health via intrauterine mechanisms. 44 Elevated Hcy is known to be a modifiable risk factor due to the involvement of vitamin B12 and folate in the transmethylation to methionine.…”

“…In addition, oxidative stress increases DNA damage. 13 In a pilot randomized controlled trial of pregnant women 14 , continued supplementation with 400 μg folate/d in the 2 nd and 3 rd trimesters increased maternal and cord blood folate status, and prevented the increase in Hcy concentration in late pregnancy. However, there is little clinical and epidemiological evidence about whether maternal Hcy concentrations during pregnancyparticularly in the 3 rd trimester -can influence childhood health outcomes.…”