Variation of the Oxidative Profile in Pregnant Women With and Without Gestational Complications.

INTRODUCTION: Oxidative stress is closely related to the pathophysiology of gestation, where the placenta is susceptible to oxidative damage, contributing to the onset of gestational complications. Currently, few studies evaluate the use of oxidative markers for prediction of risk of gestational complications. However, there are some reports that suggest these biomarkers as potential prognostic biomarkers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to compare the biomarkers of oxidative stress from gestations with and without complications, and also evaluate the delta of variation in these markers from the first gestational trimester. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 45 pregnant women were evaluated during the three gestational trimesters, of whom 15 developed gestational complications by the end of gestation. The evaluated oxidative damage markers were thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and nitric oxide dosage. Evaluation of the antioxidant system was performed by the quantification of vitamin C, sulfhydryl groups, total antioxidant capacity, plasmatic iron reduction ability, the evaluation of catalase and delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase enzymatic activity. RESULTS: According to the results, the markers of oxidative damage are increased, and the antioxidant profile decreased, in the third trimester of complicated pregnancies as compared to uncomplicated pregnancies. Moreover, the delta of variation in both oxidative damage markers and antioxidants was higher in complicated gestations as compared to uncomplicated gestations, thus suggesting a higher oxidative stress in pregnancies with complications. CONCLUSIONS: Oxidative stress parameters appear altered in pregnant women with gestational complications. The markers to oxidative stress can be possible biomarkers, helping in understanding mechanisms underlying the associations between complications during pregnancy and various health outcomes.

Toxoplasma gondii outbreak in southern Brazil: heterogeneity of the serological humoral response in pregnant women and outcomes in newborns.

The aim of the study was to describe the heterogeneity of the humoral immune response and pregnancy outcomes in infected women during an outbreak of toxoplasmosis. Forty-two pregnant women referred to the University Hospital of Santa Maria (HUSM), RS, Brazil in 2018 and 2019, were evaluated. Clinical symptoms were reported in 33.3% of the patients. The majority (64.3%) of symptomatic pregnant women had anti T. gondii IgM antibodies index >7.0. Considering asymptomatic pregnant women, 46.4% presented antibodies IgM index below 3.0. Anti T. gondii IgG low avidity antibodies are present in 23.5% of pregnant women with a IgM index <3.0. Three newborns had the congenital form of the infection, and of these, only 1 had a positive IgM result. The serological response detected at the time of diagnosis of the infection is heterogeneous, which can make it difficult to interpret the tests, due to the presence of non-classical serological profiles.

Delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase enzyme activity and the oxidative profile of pregnant women being treated for acute toxoplasmosis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and oxidative profile, including the activity of the enzyme delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D), in women who acquired toxoplasmosis during pregnancy and used the triple regimen (sulfadiazine + pyrimethamine + folinic acid [SPFA]) as treatment. These parameters have not been evaluated in pregnant women with toxoplasmosis who used the triple regimen. A total of 53 pregnant women were recruited and divided into two groups: control (C; n = 27) and acute toxoplasmosis (AT; n = 26). Clinical data and blood samples were obtained from all patients. The clinical profile was analyzed by checking parameters such as body mass index, blood pressure, and complete blood count. Oxidative stress was evaluated by quantifying protein (P-SH) and non-protein (NP-SH) thiol groups, vitamin C, plasma iron reduction capacity (FRAP), δ-ALA-D enzyme activity, reactive substances to thiobarbituric acid (TBARS), and nitric oxide (NO). Changes in hematological parameters (increased red cell distribution width and decreased hemoglobin and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration), increased antioxidant system (P-SH, NP-SH, FRAP, δ-ALA-D enzyme activity), as well as damage markers (TBARS and NO), were significantly elevated in pregnant women with toxoplasmosis, compared to those in the control group. Pregnant women treated for this acute infection showed increased damage markers, as well as a significant increase in the antioxidant system, including the activity of the δ-ALA-D enzyme. Given this evidence, it is suggested that these changes occur as a form of compensation, with a possible contribution from drug therapy.

Activity of the enzyme delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase and parameters of oxidative stress in different modes of delivery.

AIMS: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the type of delivery (vaginal and cesarean) on the activity of the enzyme delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D), which as yet has not been studied, and the markers of oxidative stress. METHODS: Seventy-six mothers and their newborns were divided into two groups: normal birth (VD) and elective cesarean section (ECS). Samples of maternal and umbilical cord blood were collected up to 5 min after birth. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), protein thiol (P-SH), nonprotein (NP-SH), the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), catalase, and δ-ALA-D enzyme activity were tested. RESULTS: TBARS and AOPP were significantly higher in mothers of the VD group, while P-SH, NP-SH, FRAP and TAC were reduced. In newborns, TBARS and AOPP did not differ between the groups; however, in the VD group, there was a decrease in P-SH, NP-SH, FRAP, TAC, and catalase. The activity of the δ-ALA-D enzyme was decreased in mothers and neonates born by VD. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers undergoing VD had higher levels of free radicals and lower antioxidant defenses, while their newborns decreased antioxidant defenses likely to contain the oxidative imbalance. The inhibition of the δ-ALA-D enzyme in this scenario allows its use as a useful marker of oxidative stress in different obstetric settings.

Influence of maternal labor time on delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase enzyme activity and markers of oxidative stress in newborns.

The purpose is to determine markers of oxidative stress related to the longer and shorter duration of labor (DOL) of pregnant women in the umbilical cord blood of neonates, not yet studied. Blood samples from the umbilical cord were collected from pregnant women with normal delivery and classified according to DOL in two groups: a group with DOL less than 310 min (n = 33) and a group with DOL greater than or equal to 310 min (n = 35). The oxidative stress parameters were analyzed by the quantification of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), nitrate/nitrite (NOx), protein thiol groups (P-SH) and non-protein (NP-SH), vitamin C and plasma iron reduction capacity (FRAP), in addition to the activity of the enzyme delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D). The activity of the δ-ALA-D enzyme was shown to be decreased in longer DOL, however, the oxidant parameters and antioxidants were higher in the longer DOL, with the exception of NP-SH that was lower. The longer maternal DOL time is related to the alteration of δ-ALA-D enzyme activity and other parameters in neonates, suggesting an increase in the passage of maternal oxidative markers by umbilical cord blood.