Can redox imbalance predict abnormal foetal development?

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Biochemistry
• Prenatal Diagnostics

Background:

• Oxidative stress is implicated in pregnancy complications.
• Biomarkers of oxidative stress may serve as predictors for adverse fetal outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the correlation between specific oxidative stress biomarkers and the occurrence of fetal chromosomal aberrations and congenital malformations.
• To assess the utility of serum markers in predicting abnormal fetal development.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study over two years.
• Measured serum levels of total protein (TP), glutathione (GSH), S-nitrosothiols (RSNO), nitric oxide (NO), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), and glutathione S-transferase (GST) in early pregnancy (11-13+6 weeks).
• Compared marker levels between 38 women with fetal abnormalities and 34 healthy pregnancies.

Main Results:

• Significantly lower serum concentrations of TP, TEAC, and GST were observed in fetuses with developmental abnormalities compared to healthy controls.
• Significantly higher serum concentrations of GSH were found in fetuses with developmental abnormalities.
• Odds ratio analysis indicated that higher GSH levels correlate with reduced risk, while elevated TP, TEAC, and GST levels correlate with increased risk of fetal developmental abnormalities.

Conclusions:

• Elevated levels of TP, GST, and TEAC, along with low GSH levels, may be relevant predictors of congenital defects.
• These oxidative stress biomarkers show potential utility in identifying fetuses at risk for developmental abnormalities.