Circulating levels of antioxidants and oxidative damage marker in pre-eclampsia

Although oxidative stress has been implicated in PE, findings on antioxidant and oxidative DNA damage markers remain inconsistent. This study aimed to assess the plasma levels of the antioxidant biomarkers sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), as well as the oxidative DNA damage marker 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), and to evaluate their correlation with clinical parameters in cases of PE.

This case-control study included 25 women aged 20-45 years, divided into two groups: the PE group (n = 14) and the control group (n = 11). Plasma SIRT1, SOD2, and 8-OHdG concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the relationships between plasma concentrations of these markers and specific clinical parameters in the PE group.

Plasma levels of SIRT1 and SOD2 were significantly higher in the PE group compared to that in the control group, while no significant difference was observed in 8-OHdG. A significant positive correlation was observed between SIRT1 and both systolic and diastolic blood pressures in the PE group compared to that in the control group. In addition, a borderline significant positive association was observed between SOD2 and diastolic blood pressure in the PE group compared to that in the control group.

Increased levels of both plasma SIRT1 and SOD2, along with their positive correlation with blood pressure, suggest a potential role for oxidative stress and antioxidant response in the pathogenesis of PE.