Plasma anti-oxidant status and lipid profile in non-gravida women with a history of pre-eclampsia

Objective: To investigate the total plasma anti-oxidant status, the plasma lipid profile and the uterine artery Doppler velocity waveform in formerly pre-eclamptic women. Methods: Thirty-two formerly pre-eclamptic, non-gravida women constituted the study group, while 28 age-matched non-gravida women who had never had pre-eclampsia served as control subjects. On days 17-19 of their menstrual cycle, fasting plasma samples were collected for total anti-oxidant status (TAS) and lipid profile evaluation, and uterine artery Doppler velocity waveform studies were performed. Results were analyzed with Mann-Whitney U-test and Pearson correlation analysis. Results: There was no significant difference between the groups in means of the uterine artery Doppler velocity waveforms and the plasma lipid levels, but body mass index values were significant (P < 0.005). The TAS value was subnormal in 72% of the formerly pre-eclamptic group and in 35% of the control group. The mean plasma TAS value was 1.20 +/- 0.05mmol/L and was significantly lower in the study group when compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The current study reveals significantly decreased TAS in women with a history of pre-eclampsia, which may have an important role in pathophysiology.