Objectives: To evaluate changes in oxidant milieu in normotensive pregnant women (No PE) and those who developed pre-eclampsia (PE) and to define a relation between these changes and PE development. Patients & Methods: All pregnant women gave three blood samples at 12 th week (S1) gestational age, start of 3 rd trimester (S2) and 48-hr postpartum (S3) for spectrophotometeric estimation of serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and uric acid (UA), and activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase activity. Control group included a similar number of non-pregnant women. Blood pressures were estimated at 1 st visit and monthly for diagnosis of PE. Results: 65 pregnant women developed PE; 54 had mild and 11 had severe PE; while 19 women developed early and 46 late PE. Sample S1 levels showed non-significant differences between all study participants. S2 serum MDA levels were significantly higher in pregnant women than their S1 and control levels and in PE versus No PE women. S2 serum UA levels were significantly higher in PE women than their S1, control and corresponding levels in No PE women. S2 serum SOD and GPx activity was significantly lower in PE women than their S1, control and corresponding measures in No PE women. Serum GR and catalase activities were significantly lower in S2 samples of pregnant women than their S1 and control activities with significantly lower activity in No PE women. S3 serum levels of MDA and UA were decreased and activities of antioxidant enzymes were adjusted in S3 sample than in S2 sample, but with significant difference between PE and No PE women. Statistical analysis defined serum MDA at ≥13.2±0.128 µmole/L and GPx activity at ≥450 U/L as risk cutoff point for PE development. Conclusion: Pregnancy is stressful condition associated with activation of oxidative stress (OS) and overproduction of oxidative products and disturbed activity of antioxidant enzymes. Exaggerated OS compromises placental functions and induces development of hypertensive manifestations. Elevated serum MDA and GPx enzyme

Objectives: To estimate serum nitric oxide (NO) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in pregnant women and correlate it with severity of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) judged by Oral Glucose Tolerance Test (OGTT). Patients & Methods: 225 pregnant women gave fasting blood samples to estimate baseline blood glucose (BG), and serum insulin, NO and ADMA, and to undergo OGTT. Insulin resistance (IR) was indicated by HOMA-IR score >2. At 24 th week, blood sample were re-evaluated using OGTT and women were categorized in Study (GDM) and Control (free of GDM) group. Results: At 24 th week, HOMA-IR scores were significantly higher than baseline scores and in study versus control women. Baseline serum ADMA levels were significantly higher, while serum NO levels were significantly lower in study versus control women and correlated with body mass index (BMI), GDM, BG and HOMA-IR score of all women. Serum ADMA and NO showed significant correlation with extent of serum insulin change, but low serum NO is significant predictor for development and severity of IR. Conclusion: IR induces endothelial dysfunction manifested as low serum NO and high serum ADMA. Baseline serum NO could predict the extent of serum insulin change.