Lipid peroxidation in preeclamptic and eclamptic pregnancies.

Preeclampsia and eclampsia remain one of the most serious complications of pregnancy, and the pathophysiology of the diseases is not fully understood. To investigate lipid peroxidation status in preeclamptic and eclamptic pregnancies, we measured the serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level, a product of lipid peroxide, in pregnant women with or without preeclampsia or eclampsia. Serum MDA levels were raised in women with preeclamptic (4.5 +/- 0.6 mumol/L) (P < 0.005) or eclamptic (4.9 +/- 0.8 mumol/L) (P < 0.005) pregnancies compared with uncomplicated pregnancy (3.3 +/- 0.7 mumol/L). An increased MDA level was also present in uncomplicated pregnancy compared to non-pregnant women (2.6 +/- 0.4 mumol/L) (P < 0.05). Serum MDA levels were significantly decreased at the third day post-delivery in either uncomplicated pregnancy (P < 0.05), preeclamptic pregnancy (P < 0.005) or eclamptic pregnancy (P < 0.005). A positive correlation was seen between MDA level and both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in preeclamptic and eclamptic pregnancies. These results provide further evidence that excessive lipid peroxidation may contribute to the pathophysiology and pathogenesis of preeclamptic and eclamptic pregnancies.