Evaluation of oxidative stress and δ-aminolevulinate dehydratase activity in twin pregnancies

Abstract

Purpose: To assess and understand the maternal oxidative stress in twin pregnancies, currently not studied, through ascertain indicators of oxidative damage in maternal blood in response of two fetuses, as well as the relation of placenta with or without the increase of oxidative stress in these gestations.

Materials and methods: The activity of delta-aminolevulinate dehydratase (δ-ALA-D) was analyzed as an indirect marker of oxidative stress, as well as the quantification of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), protein thiol groups (P-SH) and nonprotein thiol groups (NP-SH), vitamin C (VIT C) and catalase activity (CAT) in maternal blood samples from twin (n = 30) and single (n = 30) pregnancies. This study was approved by the Human Ethics Committee UFSM (register by the number 49823015.4.0000.5346).

Results: TBARS was significantly higher in twin pregnancies, while thiol groups, VIT C and CAT were decreased, asides from the reduced activity of δ-ALA-D in comparison to single fetus gestations.

Conclusions: The study established an oxidative stress increased and an antioxidant ability decreased in twin pregnancies, suggesting a possible relation between the levels of oxidants and antioxidants with the complications in those gestations.

Keywords:

• Twin pregnancy
• oxidative stress
• pregnancy
• antioxidant
• δ-ALA-D

Acknowledgements

The authors thank the Fundação Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM), and the Hospital Universitário de Santa Maria (HUSM), Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, and all the patients and volunteers for supporting this study. The authors wish to thank all the patients and volunteers to participate in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.