Monitoring changes in serum 8-isoprostane concentration as a possible marker of oxidative stress in pregnancy

Abstract

Introduction: Oxidative stress represents a pathophysiological mechanism lying behind occurrence of different acute and chronic diseases. Pregnancy, mainly due to placenta rich with mitochondria, is also being associated with the state of oxidative stress. Numerous markers have been proposed in order to test oxidative stress in pregnancy state, one of them being 8-isoprostane. The aim of this study was to analyse serum concentrations of 8-isoprostane as a possible oxidative stress marker in pregnancy.
Methods: Serum concentrations of 8-isoprostane were measured in overall population of 84 woman, between 20 and 30 years of age. Tested population was divided in 2 groups: 42 pregnant woman were classifi ed as being either in the fi rst or second trimester of pregnancy. In the control group healthy nonpregnant women were included. Concentration of 8-isoprostane in serum was determined by commercial 8-isoprostane EIA test kit of Cayman Chemical Company, USA.
Results: The 8-isoprostane levels were signifi cantly increased in pregnant women in relation to healthy non pregnant women (p<0.05). The 8-isoprostane levels were signifi cantly increased in second and third trimester of pregnancy (p<0.05).
Conclusions: According to the obtained results, 8-isoprostane might be used as a possible marker of oxidative stress in pregnancy state, but not as a biomarker for the risk of complications development in pregnancy in analysed population.