Maternal Serum Ischemia Modified Albumin as a Marker of Oxidative Stress in Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy

Abstract

Background: Ischemia modified albumin, IMA is albumin which has altered in its amino terminal due to ischemia, following which, it loses its capacity to bind to metal cations like cobalt ions. It is also a candidate marker of oxidative stress. Normal pregnancy is associated with production of free radicals compared to non-pregnant women. Materials and methods: In this prospective study, the IMA and IMA albumin ratio levels of 40 pregnant women with pregnancy induced hypertension of age group 18-40 years were compared with the 40 age matched healthy pregnant controls. The albumin cobalt-binding test was used to estimate the IMA levels and serum albumin levels were estimated using absorbance by Bromocresol green. Results: Mean levels of IMA were higher in the case group as compared to control group (0.52 ±0.1 ABSU vs 0.04 ± 0.03 ABSU, p <0.05). The albumin levels were lower in the patients' group compared to the controls' group and the difference was statistically significant (p <0.05). The ratio of IMA to normal serum albumin (IMAR) was higher in the patients' group than the controls group (p <0.05). Conclusion:Ischemia modified albumin and the ratio of IMA to normal serum albumin are significantly elevated in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy as compared to normal healthy pregnant controls and therefore are useful biomarkers of pregnancy induced hypertension.