Oxidative stress and antioxidant status in fetal circulation in preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is associated with oxidative stress in maternal circulation. The purpose of this study was to explore oxidative stress and antioxidants in the fetal circulation in preeclampsia. Women with preeclampsia (n = 19) or uncomplicated pregnancies (n = 33) delivered by cesarean section were included. Blood was sampled separately from the umbilical vein and artery. 8-Iso-prostaglandin F-2 alpha (8-isoprostane), a stable product of lipid peroxidation, is a reliable marker of oxidative stress. Concentration of total 8-isoprostane in cord plasma was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Antioxidant status was evaluated measuring ferric reducing ability of plasma and vitamin E. There was no difference between preeclampsia and control groups regarding median plasma concentration of 8-isoprostane in umbilical vein (955 versus 780 pg/mL, p = 0.41) or in umbilical artery (233 versus 276 pg/mL, p = 0.65). Concentration of 8-isoprostane was much higher in plasma from the umbilical vein than artery, suggesting placenta as the source of 8-isoprostane. Median ferric reducing ability of plasma concentration was higher in preeclampsia than in controls, both in the umbilical vein and artery. Median vitamin E concentration in the umbilical vein was higher in preeclampsia, but no difference was found in the umbilical artery. In conclusion, no evidence of increased oxidative stress, evaluated by 8-isoprostane concentration, was found in fetal circulation in preeclampsia.