[Oxidative stress level and placental histological changes during preeclampsia]

Oxidative stress has been related to several conditions during pregnancy (preeclampsia, abortions and premature rupture of membranes); it causes higher sensitivity of the endothelial blood vessel constriction and aggravates the endothelium dependent vasodilatación.

To determine the oxidative stress level and histological changes in preeclamptic women's placenta.

Longitudinal and comparative study. There were included 25 patients referred from second level health units (IMSS, ISSSTE and Hospital General de Zacatecas). To evaluate oxidative stress level, a sample of blood and placenta were obtained during delivery and a second sample was taken during mediate puerperium (10 days).

In control group, total lipidic peroxide levels in serum were 135.6 +/- 7.3 nmol of MDA/mL of serum, compared with the group of moderate hypertension, which registered 222.0 +/- 35.15 nmol MDA/mL. Total lipidic peroxides in serum during puerperium for control group were 150.4 +/- 30.8 and 183.3 +/- 18.51 nmol MDA/mL for the group of moderate hypertension. Placental lipoperoxidation for control group was 0.40 +/- 0.03 microg MDNg, and of 0.32 +/- 0.03 microg MDN/g for the group of mild hypertension. Patients of moderate hypertension group showed an increase at 34% on placental lipoperoxidation over control group. Placental histological alterations where characterized by vascular remodeling loss, deposits of proteinaceous material and macrophagic process.

Total lipidic peroxide levels in serum increases during preeclampsia. Histological changes refer uterus-placental ischemia that, probably, induces the oxidative stress.