Isoprostanes, prostaglandins and tocopherols in pre-eclampsia, normal pregnancy and non-pregnancy

This study is designed to evaluate whether oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in severe pre-eclampsia compared to normal pregnancy and non-pregnancy. We have measured plasma and urinary levels of 8-iso-PGF(2alpha), a major isoprostane as an indicator of oxidative stress; plasma and urinary 15-keto-dihydro-PGF(2alpha), a major metabolite of cyclooxygenase-catalysed PGF(2alpha) as an indicator of inflammatory response, and plasma -alpha-and -gamma-tocopherol in 18 pre-eclamptic, 19 normal pregnancy and 20 non-pregnant women. Pregnant women had significantly higher levels of 8-iso-PGF(2alpha) and PGF(2alpha) metabolite as compared to the non-pregnancy Levels of 8-iso-PGF(2alpha) in the pre-eclamptic women did not differ from the normal pregnancy but PGF(2alpha) metabolite levels were significantly higher in normal pregnancy. On the other hand, gamma-tocopherol levels were significantly lower in pre-eclampsia than normal pregnancy In contrast, the concentration of alpha-tocopherol was very similar between the groups. a-and gamma-tocopherol levels were significantly lower in pregnancy compared to non-pregnancy. Although no direct evidence of oxidative stress and inflammatory response was observed in severe pre-eclampsia, a reduction of gamma-tocopherol suggests the possible precedence of oxidative stress in this condition. Higher levels of isoprostanes and prostaglandin metabolite in late pregnancy suggest the importance of both free radicals and cyclooxygenase-catalysed oxidation products in normal biological processes of pregnancy.