Abstract
Background. Markers of lipid peroxidation are commonly used to assess oxidative stress in preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to assess the concentration of oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL), a novel marker for lipid peroxidation, and that of the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) in the pathogenesis of severe preeclampsia and to investigate the influence of gestational age on these parameters. Method. Plasma levels of oxLDL and TBARS were assayed in women with severe preeclampsia ( n = 40), normotensive pregnant controls matched for gestational age ( n = 24) and normotensive pregnant controls at full term ( n = 16). Results. Women with preeclampsia showed lower oxLDL levels (mean ± SE) than matched controls (181 ± 12 vs. 219 ± 14; p = 0.027), whereas no differences were found for the TBARS concentration (3.8 ± 0.6 vs. 3.7 ± 0.4). When women with preeclampsia were compared to control women at full term, TBARS were elevated (3.8 ± 0.6 vs. 1.5 ± 0.2; p = 0.01). However, in women with normotensive pregnancy TBARS were also lower in full-term control pregnancy compared to early third-trimester values ( p < 0.0001). Conclusion. Plasma TBARS decreased during the third trimester of pregnancy, underlining the importance of matching for gestational age when studying markers of lipid peroxidation in pregnant women. Women with preeclampsia had lower plasma levels of oxLDL compared to gestational age-matched controls, indicating that oxLDL could be a marker for preeclampsia.