RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To discuss the relationship between the internal oxidation-reduction system and fetal distress in pregnant patients with intrahepatic cholestasis in order to provide a new basis for clinical treatment and research. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From March 2012 to March 2015, eighty patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) were selected and divided into two groups: the distressed group (n = 31) and non-distressed group (n = 49). We compared the two groups for differences in MDA, SOD, NO level, GSH level, venous blood and total bile acid level. The relevance of the oxidation-reduction system indicators and the venous blood and total bile acid levels, as well as the differences in the delivery outcome and fetal distress, were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The serum MDA level of the distressed group was higher than the non-distressed group while the SOD, NO, and GSH levels were lower than the non-distressed group. All differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Both the venous blood and total bile acid levels in the distressed group were higher than the non-distressed group and were statistically significant (p < 0.05). Based on Pearson's analysis, MDA was positively associated with the venous blood and total bile acid levels while SOD, NO and GSH levels were negatively associated with it. All differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The death rate of cesarean section and perinatal infant in the distressed group were higher than that of the non-distressed group. The proportion of mild and severe asphyxia was higher than the non-distressed group. However, the neonatal weight of the distressed group was lower. All differences were statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The internal oxidation-reduction system indicators of pregnant patients with intrahepatic cholestasis, which are MDA, SOD, NO and GSH levels, may contribute to the occurrence of fetal distress.