Effect of Magnesium Sulfate on the Osmotic Fragility and Lipid Peroxidation of Intact Red Blood Cells from Pregnant Women with Severe Preeclampsia

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the osmotic fragility and level of lipid peroxidation of red blood cells from pregnant women with severe preeclampsia, treated or not with MgSO₄. Methods: Osmotic fragility and lipid peroxidation of red blood cells was evaluated in 11 normotensive pregnant women and eleven pregnant women with severe preeclampsia. Results: MgSO₄ therapy, either in vivo or in vitro, leads to a reduction of the osmotic fragility and the level of lipid peroxidation of red blood cells from pregnant women with severe preeclampsia. Conclusions: Interaction of MgSO₄ with free radicals, by avoiding an excessive lipid peroxidation of the red blood cell membrane, would protect the membrane structure, avoiding in this way the increase in osmotic fragility.

Keywords:

• Red blood cells
• Osmotic fragility
• Magnesium sulfate
• Severe preeclampsia
• Fenton reaction