Maternal vitamin D, oxidative stress, and pre-eclampsia

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Nutritional Science
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Pre-eclampsia is a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity.
• Vitamin D plays a role in pregnancy health, and oxidative stress is implicated in pre-eclampsia pathogenesis.
• Understanding the interplay between vitamin D status and oxidative stress may reveal new insights into pre-eclampsia risk.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between maternal 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels and oxidative stress biomarkers during pregnancy.
• To determine if these factors are associated with the risk of developing pre-eclampsia.

Main Methods:

• A nested case-control study was conducted within a prospective pregnancy cohort (n=99; 34 cases, 65 controls).
• Maternal plasma 25(OH)D and six isomers of F2-isoprostanes (F2-isoPs) were measured at 12-18 and 24-26 gestational weeks.
• Vitamin D deficiency was defined as 25[OH]D < 50 nmol/L.

Main Results:

• Maternal vitamin D deficiency correlated with elevated levels of 8-iso-PGF2α, 15(R)-PGF2α, and (±)5-iPF2α-VI at 12-18 weeks.
• At 24-26 weeks, vitamin D deficiency showed an inverse association with 8-iso-PGF2α and (±)5-iPF2α-VI.
• Both vitamin D deficiency and increased (±)5-iPF2α-VI at 24-26 weeks were significantly associated with pre-eclampsia risk (aORs 4.79 and 2.46, respectively).

Conclusions:

• Plasma 25(OH)D levels below 50 nmol/L are associated with increased oxidative stress during pregnancy, indicated by specific F2-isoP isomers.
• Vitamin D deficiency and elevated oxidative stress markers in late pregnancy are linked to pre-eclampsia risk.
• Further research is needed to confirm if vitamin D influences pre-eclampsia risk via oxidative stress pathways.