[Assessment of lipid peroxidation intensification in normal and preeclamptic placentas].

OBJECTIVE

Free radical induced lipid peroxidation (LP) in the placenta has been suggested as a possible pathogenetic factor of preeclampsia (PE).

DESIGN

The aim of the study was to assess LP intensification by the measurement of lipid peroxidation products (LPP) content in placentas from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The investigations comprised placentas obtained immediately after delivery from 24 normal pregnancies [group K], 26 pregnancies complicated by severe PE without intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) [group PE] and 23 pregnancies complicated by severe PE and IUGR [group PEI]. LPP content was measured by the quantitative determination of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBA-RS) amounts in studied placentas. Used TBA test was calibrated with malondialdehyde (MDA) and results were expressed as MDA equivalent in nmol/mg protein. Comparative analysis was performed using U Mann-Whitney and median tests.

RESULTS

Mean placental level of LPP (MLPP) in the group PE-2.45 +/- 0.39 (M +/- SD) was significantly higher (p < 0.001) as compared to MLPP in the group K (1.58 +/- 0.24). MLPP in the PEI group (2.81 +/- 0.65) was higher (p < 0.001) than MLPP in the group K as well as MLPP in the group PE but statistical significance of the latter difference was lower (p = 0.032).

CONCLUSIONS

The intensification of LP in placentas from pregnancies complicated by severe PE is IUGR dependent and higher than in placentas from normal pregnancies. Obtained results may indicate that higher degree of LP intensification in preeclamptic placentas may be involved in PE pathogenesis.