Strontium and oxidative stress in normal pregnancy

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Trace Element Metabolism
• Reproductive Physiology

Background:

• Pregnancy involves significant metabolic and oxidative shifts.
• Trace elements and oxidative stress are critical during gestation.
• Strontium (Sr) role in pregnancy, particularly preeclampsia, is understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate strontium concentrations during normal pregnancy.
• To assess the relationship between strontium and oxidative status markers.

Main Methods:

• Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry for elemental analysis (Sr, Cu, Se, Zn).
• Spectrophotometric assays for calcium, uric acid, lipid peroxidation, and total antioxidant activity.
• Study included non-pregnant, pregnant (trimesters I-III), and postpartum women.

Main Results:

• Strontium levels remained stable until the third trimester, then significantly increased.
• Uric acid levels progressively increased throughout pregnancy.
• Strontium showed positive correlations with gestational week, uric acid, and the lipid peroxidation/TAA ratio, and a negative correlation with total antioxidant activity.

Conclusions:

• Strontium appears to have a physiological function in modulating oxidative status during pregnancy.
• Further research is needed to explore strontium's role in pregnancy pathologies.