[Catalase activity in normal and preeclamptic placentas].

OBJECTIVE

The decrease of placental catalase (CAT) activity may lead to an increase of placental amounts of reactive oxygen species and can contribute to preeclampsia pathogenesis.

DESIGN

The aim of the study was to determine CAT activity in placentas from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies (with and without intrauterine growth restriction--IUGR).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The investigations comprised placentas obtained immediately after delivery from 22 normal pregnancies (group K), 26 pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia-PE without IUGR (group PE) and 23 pregnancies complicated by severe PE and IUGR (group PEI). The activity of CAT was determined using a spectrophotometric method and expressed as IU/mg protein. Comparative analysis was performed using U Mann-Whitney test.

RESULTS

Mean activity of CAT (MCAT) in the PEI group--0.38 +/- 0.14 (M +/- SD), was significantly lower (p < 0.001) as compared to MCAT in the group K (0.55 +/- 0.16). MCAT in the PE group (0.48 +/- 0.14) was lower than MCAT in the group K, but this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). MCAT in the group PEI was significantly lower (p = 0.026) as compared to MCAT in the PE group.

CONCLUSIONS

The activity of CAT is decreased in placentas from pregnancies complicated by severe PE and IUGR. Obtained results may indicate that the decrease of placental CAT activity may be involved in pathogenesis of IUGR in preeclamptic pregnancies.