Oxidative stress biomarkers in amniotic fluid of pregnant women with hypothyroidism

Abstract

Purpose

Hypothyroidism in pregnancy is the serious state that may lead to fetal morbidity and mortality. Oxidative stress biomarkers in the amniotic fluid can provide important information on the health, development and maturation of the fetus during pregnancy. In this study, we examined whether maternal hypothyroidism contributes to increased oxidative stress biomarkers in the amniotic fluid during the first trimester of pregnancy.

Materials and methods

The study was conducted on healthy pregnant women and pregnant women with hypothyroidism (gestational age: 16–18 weeks). Oxidative stress biomarkers, such as superoxide anion (O₂^•−), hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), nitric oxide (NO), peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻), lipid peroxide (LPO), reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were assayed in the amniotic fluid.

Results

The results of this study indicated that concentrations of O₂^•− and NO are significantly higher, while the concentration of H₂O₂ is significantly lower in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women with hypothyroidism in comparison to healthy pregnant women. There were no differences in concentrations of LPO, GSH and GSSG among tested groups. Also, we found that amniotic fluid concentration of O₂^•− is negatively correlated with the body weight and Apgar score values of the newborns.

Conclusion

These results suggest that pregnancy hypothyroidism is characterized by the amniotic fluid oxidative stress. Incorporation of the oxidative stress biomarkers measurement in the amniotic fluid may be of clinical importance in the management of pregnancy hypothyroidism.

Keywords:

• Oxidative stress biomarkers
• pregnancy hypothyroidism
• amniotic fluid

Disclosure statement

None of the authors has any conflict of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Republic of Serbia, Grant No. 173041.