Oxidative nucleic acid damage as a biomarker for preeclampsia
Chandrakala Nagarajappa1, Sheela Shikaripur Rangappa2, Sharath Balakrishna1
1Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research, Kolar, Karnataka, India.
Summary
Urinary nucleic acid oxidation, specifically oxidised guanine, is elevated in preeclampsia. This finding suggests urine may serve as a non-invasive biomarker for diagnosing preeclampsia.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Biochemistry
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Nucleic acid oxidation is reportedly increased in preeclampsia.
- Urinary excretion of nucleic acid oxidation products is established.
- The diagnostic potential of urine for nucleic acid oxidation in preeclampsia remains unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the utility of urine as a non-invasive specimen for analyzing nucleic acid oxidation in preeclampsia.
- To determine if urinary levels of oxidised guanine species differ between preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women.
Main Methods:
- A case-control study was conducted with 31 preeclamptic and 31 normotensive pregnant women.
- Urine samples were collected from all participants.
- Oxidised guanine species levels were quantified using the ELISA method.
Main Results:
- Urinary oxidised guanine species were significantly higher in women with preeclampsia compared to normotensive controls (p=0.001).
- Elevated levels were observed in both mild (p=0.005) and severe (p=0.01) preeclampsia.
- A significant difference was found in late-onset (p=0.001) but not early-onset preeclampsia (p=0.56).
Conclusions:
- Oxidised guanine levels are elevated in the urine of preeclamptic pregnant women.
- Urinary oxidised guanine may serve as a potential non-invasive biomarker for preeclampsia.
- Further research could validate its clinical utility in preeclampsia diagnosis and management.
