Selenium and Malondialdehyde Content and Glutathione Peroxidase Activity in Maternal and Umbilical Cord Blood and Amniotic Fluid

Abstract

Placenta tissue may be a major source of lipid peroxidation products in pregnancy. It was proven that placental peroxidation activity increases with gestation. Selenium (Se), as an essential constituent of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), takes part in the reduction of hydrogen peroxides and lipid peroxides. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a major breakdown product split off from lipid peroxides. In this study, Se and MDA content and GSH-Px activity were measured in blood and plasma taken from 20 apparently healthy nonpregnant women between 19 and 38 yr of age and from 115 unselected pregnant women between 17 and 45 yr of age (35 in the first trimester, 22 in the second trimester, 38 in the third trimester, and 20 within 2 d of delivery). Samples of umbilical cord blood and amniotic fluid were taken from women in the second and third trimesters and at delivery. The Se content was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), plasma MDA concentration by thiobarbituric acid reaction, and Se-dependent GSH-Px spectrometrically. Blood and plasma Se contents of nonpregnant women were below those considered adequate, indicating low selenium intake. In comparison to nonpregnant women, pregnant women had significantly decreased whole-blood and plasma Se levels in the second and third trimesters and at delivery. The significant drop of whole-blood SeGSH-Px activity was observed in the first trimester of pregnancy and its lower activity was maintained until delivery. A significant drop in plasma SeGSH-Px activity occurred in the second trimester and attained the minimal level at delivery. The Se level and SeGSH-Px activity in maternal and umbilical cord blood were at similar levels. Amniotic-fluid SeGSH-Px activity was nondetectable or exceptionally low and its Se content remained unchanged during pregnancy. Plasma levels of MDA were significantly decreased in the second and third trimesters and at delivery. The fetal blood plasma at birth had a lower MDA level compared to the levels of MDA of their mothers at delivery. A low, but significant inverse correlation existed between blood SeGSH-Px activity and plasma MDA content and between plasma Se and plasma MDA contents during pregnancy. A significant decrease of Se and SeGSH-Px activities (antioxidant enzyme) in both blood and plasma suggests a possible drop in total antioxidant status during pregnancy. Elevated MDA plasma levels might be the result of increased lipid peroxidation in placental tissue during pregnancy. Index Entries: Selenium; glutathione peroxidase; malondialdehyde; pregnancy; umbilical cord blood; amniotic fluid.

Fruit and vegetable intake influences the association between exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and a marker of oxidative stress in pregnant women

“…Moreover, oxidative stress is known to increase during pregnancy, even in a normal pregnancy (Myatt et al, 2000;Myatt and Cui, 2004). It has also been reported that the MDA level is higher in pregnant women than in non-pregnant women (Morris et al, 1998;Mihailović et al, 2000). In other words, pregnant women can Fruit and vegetable and PAH exposure with MDA H Kim et al easily be exposed to oxidative stress, possibly as a result of PAH exposure while cooking and as a result of conception itself.…”

Oxidative stress: Changes in pregnancy and with gestational diabetes mellitus

“…The conventional assays to measure lipid peroxidation have relied on the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) assay, which involves adding TBA to the sample and colorimetrically measuring the resultant reactive substances (TBARS) [22,23]. The TBA test is calibrated with MDA.…”

“…Many studies have compared biomarkers of oxidative stress in normal pregnant women and nonpregnant control subjects [16,17,22,23]. Results of such studies suggest that erythrocyte or plasma MDA and lipid peroxides are generally higher during the second trimester [23] as well as late in gestation [16,22,23]; higher levels of salivary 8-isoprostane concentrations (but not plasma) have been noted during the second trimester [17].…”

Correlation between postpartum depression and omega-3, micronutrients

“…64 Some studies have revealed that serum selenium concentrations decreased throughout pregnancy edir. 65,66 In a study by Mokheber et al, selenium supplement resulted in a notable increase in average serum selenium concentration and average EPDS score was significantly lower. 67 These findings support the notion that selenium supplement during pregnancy can be an effective approach in preventing postpartum depression.…”