Increased lipid peroxidation and reduced antioxidant activity have been reported with pregnancy complications. Given that exogenous oxidants stimulate formation of lipid peroxides, the authors investigated the relationship between exposure to nitrogen-oxidizing species and pregnancy complications and took into account markers of antioxidant and oxidant status. The study sample included pregnant women who were from an area polluted by oxidized nitrogen compounds. Methemoglobin, a biomarker of individual exposure, was determined, as were measures of oxidant/antioxidant status, including glutathione balance and lipid peroxide levels. Only 10 women experienced normal pregnancies. The most common complications were anemia (67%), threatened abortion/premature labor (33%), and signs of preeclampsia (23%). Methemoglobin was elevated significantly in all three conditions, compared with normal pregnancies. Reduced:total glutathione decreased, whereas lipid peroxide levels increased. These results suggest that maternal exposure to environmental oxidants can increase the risk of pregnancy complications through stimulation of the formation of cell-damaging lipid peroxides and from a decrease in maternal antioxidant reserves.

Pregnant women exposed to extensive environmental contamination by oxidized nitrogen compounds were studied at parturition, their neonatal health status was assessed and the involvement of oxidative stress in pathology was evaluated. Methemoglobin in maternal and cord blood was measured as a biomarker of individual exposure. Blood lipid peroxides and glutathione (reduced and total) were determined as oxidative stress biomarkers. Birthweight, Apgar scores, and clinical diagnosis at birth were used as neonatal health endpoints. Elevated exposure to oxidized nitrogen compounds was associated with increased lipid peroxidation in both maternal and cord blood. Poor birth outcome was associated with high blood lipid peroxides. Controlling for maternal age, parity, and smoking did not affect the relationships materially. The results showed that maternal/fetal exposure to oxidized nitrogen compounds is associated with increased risk of adverse birth outcome and suggest a role of oxidative damage in the pathogenic pathway.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract