Metabolic dysfunctions in Nigerian pre-eclamptics

The patho-physiology of pre-eclampsia is not fully understood. This study determined the plasma levels of markers of oxidative stress, thyroid hormones, nitric oxide, C-reactive protein, and nutritional profiles in pre-eclamptic patients.

Thirty-two pregnant women with pre-eclampsia and 40 women with normal pregnancy (controls) participated in this study. The pre-eclamptics were recruited after 20 weeks of gestation. They presented with hypertension (systolic pressure = 169 ± 26.0 mmHg, diastolic pressure = 102 ± 11.0 mmHg), significant proteinuria (368 ± 39 mg/24 h), severe headache, abdominal pain and vomiting. The plasma levels of total antioxidant potential (TAP), total plasma peroxides (TPP), total cholesterol (TC), total protein (TP), albumin, globulin, nitric oxide (NO), C-reactive protein (CRP), total tri-iodotyronine (TT3) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) were determined in them using spectrophotometry, radial immunodiffusion and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods, respectively. Oxidative stress index (OSI) was calculated as the percent ratio of TPP and TAP.

The weight and body mass index of pre-eclamptics increased significantly (p < 0.05) when compared with the controls. The mean systolic and diastolic blood pressure increased significantly (p < 0.001) in pre-eclamptics when compared with the controls. Plasma mean values of TAP, NO, albumin, TP and TT3 decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in pre-eclamptics when compared with the controls. The plasma mean values of TSH, TPP, OSI, CRP, and TC increased significantly (p < 0.05) in pre-eclamptics when compared with the controls. There was no significant change in the plasma value of globulin when compared with the controls. TT3 correlated positively with plasma TP and globulin in the pre-eclamptics.

It could be concluded that hypothyroidism, hypercholesterolemia, oxidative stress and deranged inflammatory responses are possible features of pre-eclampsia.