Some Biochemical Markers of Oxidative Stress in Pregnant Nigerian Women

Abstract

Context: The increased generation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species in pregnancy results in oxidative stress. Antioxidants are used as defence mechanisms and their serum concentrations give oxidative stress levels. Objective: To determine serum levels of ascorbic acid, uric acid and bilirubin (antioxidants) , as simple markers of oxidative stress in pregnant Nigerian women. Study Design, Setting, Subjects and Methods: Pregnant women numbering sixty-five, aged between 20-38 years, in their second and third trimesters were selected from the antenatal clinic, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu. A comparable group of 65 non-pregnant women (controls) were also recruited. Serum levels of ascorbic acid were determined by Roe and Kenther method, uric acid by Brown\'s method and bilirubin by Powell\'s method. Results: The serum levels of ascorbic acid, uric acid and bilirubin were each significantly lower in pregnant than in non-pregnant control subjects (p