Erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes and plasma copper, zinc and selenium in preeclampsia

ABSTRACT

The activities of superoxide dismutase [SOD] and glutathione peroxidase [GSHPx] were measured in the erythrocyte hemolysates of 25 primigravida preeclamptic [PE] patients [14 with severe and 11 with mild preeclampsia] during the third trimester. Plasma copper [Cu], zinc [Zn] and selenium [Se] levels were also assayed. The results were compared to normal pregnant values obtained from a control age matched primigravida normotensive group in the third trimester [n = 20]. There was insignificant lowering of SOD activity in PE than normotensive women. Normal GSHPx activity was found in total PE patients with insignificantly higher activities in severe than in mild PE group. While plasma Cu and Se were significantly higher in PE than normotensive group [p <0.01, p <0.001 respectively], Zn values did not differ between the two groups. The significant elevation of Se was evident both in severe and mild PE groups compared to normal pregnancy, but the elevation of Cu was only significant in the severe PE group and not in the mild PE group