RESUMO
A total of: 25 women with gestational diabetes, 25 with type 2 diabetes, 21 with healthy pregnancies and 15 non-pregnant healthy controls were investigated to evaluate the relationship between butyrylcholinesterase activity and antioxidant status in the serum and placenta of diabetic pregnant women. Levels of antioxidant activities were estimated by Randox Kits and malondialdehyde and butyrylcholinesterase by colorimetric methods. Butyrylcholinesterase activity was elevated in the serum and placenta in normal pregnancy vs diabetic cohorts (p < 0.01) and there was a higher activity level in gestational and type 2 diabetes on insulin (p < 0.05) compared with diet controlled. There was higher malondialdehyde and lower antioxidant activity in diet vs insulin controlled diabetes (p < 0.01). Serum and placental butyrylcholinesterase activity showed a strong inverse correlation with malondialdehyde (r = -0.876, p < 0.001) and (r = 0.542, p < 0.01), but strong positive correlation with total antioxidant activity in serum (r = 0.764, p < 0.001) and placenta (r = 0.642, p < 0.01). Butyrylcholinesterase may therefore, be involved in reducing oxidative stress in diabetic pregnancy.