ABSTRACT
For preeclampsia [PE], no specific etiological factor has been defined until now. This study focused on the implication of some apoptotic and lipid peroxidation markers in PE. In addition to malondialdehyde [MDA] measurement in the serum, the MDA, caspases-8, -9 activities and % DNA fragmentation were measured in fifty human term normal and PE placentas. In vitro MDA formation was assessed in relation to time and the presence of prooxidants [FeCl2, low dose of aseorbate] and the antioxidant alpha- tocopherol. The MDA, % DNA fragmentation and craspase-9 activity were significantly increased in PE than control women. The serum MDA was significantly elevated in PE women delivered by cesarean section [C.S.] than vaginally delivered PE women. The addition of 0.5 mM Fe2+ , 0.1 mM ascorbate caused increase production sf MDA in PE than normal placentas [P < 0.015]. Vitamin E [100 micro M] caused significantly lower inhibition of in vitro lipid peroxidation in PE placentas. The % DNA fragmentation and caspase-9 activity were related to the severity of the PE [ANOVA test]. They could differentiate between PE and control women with 100%, 88% sensitivity and 100%, 96% specificity respectively. Caspases-8 and/or -9 activity positively correlates with the maternal age and negatively correlates with neonatal and placental weights
Conclusion: in preeclampsia, the placenta represents a considerable source of the elevated circulating MDA. The enhanced apoptosis correlates with the maternal age and perinatal outcome