Peroxidative and glutathione status in uterus and placenta after normal and pathological pregnancy

In 10 women with disturbed pregnancies without hyper tension, reduced (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) as well as lipid peroxides as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were determined in the placenta and in the uterine tissue after unexpected stress-induced Caesarian section (group II). Production of TBARS was also measured in vitro in the 9000 x g supernatant of both tissues. The results were compared with those from women after normal pregnancy and expected Caesarian section (group I). After normal pregnancy higher TBARS and lower GSH with higher GSSG/GSH ratio were found in the placenta in comparison to the uterine tissue, indicating an oxidant/antioxidant imbalance in the placenta. No statistically significant differences were shown between the parameters of groups I and II. The possible oxidant stress associated with disturbed pregnancy and subsequent unexpected Caesarian section in this study was insufficient to alter tissue levels of glutathione nor the peroxidative status of placenta and uterus.