A Study of Lipid Peroxidation and Antioxidant Enzymes in Normal Pregnancy.

Pregnancy is a physiological state characterized by increased metabolic demand and an increased oxygen requirement. Augmented levels of oxidative stress would be expected because of the increased intake and utilization of oxygen. Evidence of increased oxidative stress in normal pregnancy in comparison with non-pregnant controls was estimated by measuring the levels of lipid peroxidation product Malondialdehyde, antioxidant enzymes like Superoxide dismutase, Glutathione peroxidase, Glutathione reductase and catalase. It was observed that pregnant women were more susceptible to oxidative damage than nonpregnants as indicated by increased Malondialdehyde and decreased antioxidants.

A Study of Oxidative Stress in Alcoholic Liver Disease.

The present study was conducted to evaluate the oxidative stress and its subsequent damaging effect in 20 male patients of alcoholic liver disease (ALD). The results were compared with 20 healthy volunteers. Blood samples were collected for estimating malondialdehyde (MDA), transaminases (AST, ALT) and gammaglutamyl transferase (GGT). Serum aspartate amino transferase (AST) & alanine amino transferase (ALT) and their ratio was significantly (p<0.01) increased in ALD patients as compared to the controls. Plasma GGT levels were significantly (p< 0.01) increased in alcoholics and the enzyme showed a significant positive correlation with MDA which also showed a rise. These results give enough evidence of increased oxidative stress and compromised antioxidant defense system in patients with ALD.