Urinary Excretion of 8-isoprostane-F2α, a Biomarker of In vivo Lipid Peroxidation and Oxidative Stress, is Increased in Pregnant Ghanaian Women Taking 60 mg Iron Compared to 20 mg Iron and Multiple Micronutrients.

ABSTRACT

Objectives: To compare the effects of 3 different iron-containing supplements on 8-isoprostane- F2α, a subclinical indicator of oxidative stress, in pregnant women in Ghana. Methods: Pregnant women were randomly assigned to receive one of the following 3 interventions: Fe/FA 60 mg iron and 400 μg folic acid capsule, MMN 20 mg iron and 18 micronutrients capsule, or LNS 20 mg iron and multiple micronutrients in a lipid-based nutrient supplement as part of the International Lipid-based Nutrient Supplement trial. We measured urinary 8-isoprostane-F2α and creatinine, to calculate 8-isoprostane-F2α creatinine ratio in a subsample of 217 women at <20 wk and 36 wk gestation. Results: The overall effect of intervention group on mean (± SE) 8-isoprostane-F2α creatinine at 36 wk was significant (p=0.04). The significant pairwise comparison was between the Fe/FA group (1.87±0.12 ng/mg creatinine) and the MMN group (1.48±0.09, p=0.02). The LNS group (1.64±0.10) was not significantly different from either of the other two groups. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that an increase in oxidative stress may occur with daily 60 mg iron compared to 20 mg iron with multiple micronutrients among pregnant women in Ghana.