Study of free radicals (malondialdehyde) in pre-eclampsia and eclampsia in correlation with uric acid and total proteins

Introduction: Oxidative stress is a normal phenomenon in normotensive pregnancy; however, in preeclampsia, oxidative stress is exaggerated may result in a greater potential for endothelial oxidative damage. It has been reported that higher MDA (Malondialdehyde) /total antioxidant capacity (TAC) ratio is indicative of oxidative stress in women with pre-eclampsia. Materials and Methods: Prospective study was done for duration of 2 years i.e, from January 2015 to December 2017 in the department of Biochemistry at Kakatiya Medical College, Hanmakonda, CKM hospital Warangal. A total number of 60 pregnant women were included in the study. Among these, 20 pregnant women were clinically diagnosed as pre-eclampsia and 20 are eclamptic cases and the remaining 20 were selected as control group and are normotensive antenatal women who are also in third trimester of pregnancy. Results: The mean MDA, serum uric acid, 24 hr urinary protein were higher in pre-eclampsia and eclampsia compared to controls. Conclusion: Increased lipid peroxidation products levels clearly shows that oxidation stress is more in pre-eclampsia and eclampsia than in control subjects and it plays a significant role in etiopathogensis of PIH. Serum uric acid levels are significantly higher in cases than in controls and by estimating the uric acid levels we can assess the severity of the disease and we can avoid further progress of the disease process by early detection and prompt treatment. Total serum protein levels are drastically reduced in pre-eclampsia and eclampsia cases compared to controls.