Maternal Thrombophilia Disrupts Fetal Redox Homeostasis

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Perinatal Medicine
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Fetal redox homeostasis is crucial for normal prenatal development.
• Maternal thrombophilia is a condition that can affect pregnancy outcomes.
• Understanding the impact of thrombophilia on fetal development is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of maternal thrombophilia on fetal redox homeostasis.
• To assess the redox profile of amniotic fluid cells and amniotic fluid in the second trimester.
• To identify specific redox biomarkers altered by thrombophilia.

Main Methods:

• Assayed concentrations of redox biomarkers including superoxide anion (O2.-), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO), peroxynitrite (ONOO-), lipid peroxides (LPO), micronuclei, reduced glutathione (GSH), and oxidized glutathione (GSSG).
• Analyzed amniotic fluid cells and amniotic fluid from healthy pregnant women and those with thrombophilia between 16-18 weeks gestation.
• Compared redox profiles between the two groups.

Main Results:

• Pregnant women with thrombophilia showed significantly higher concentrations of O2.-, NO, ONOO-, and LPO in amniotic fluid cells.
• Lower concentrations of H2O2, GSH, and GSSG were observed in amniotic fluid cells of mothers with thrombophilia.
• Elevated GSSG levels were found in the amniotic fluid of the thrombophilia group, while other amniotic fluid biomarkers showed no significant difference.

Conclusions:

• Maternal thrombophilia in the second trimester leads to intense oxidative stress in the fetus.
• This oxidative stress is characterized by overproduction of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (O2.-, NO, ONOO-, LPO).
• The findings highlight the detrimental effects of thrombophilia on fetal redox balance and suggest potential implications for fetal development.