Iodine levels is associated with oxidative stress and antioxidant status in pregnant women with hypertensive disease

Background: Previously has been reported the antioxidant function of iodine, and iodine deficiency as a risk factor of preeclampsia. Aim: We analyze the association between iodine deficiency, oxidative stress and antioxidant status with hypertensive disease of pregnancy (HPD). Method: 57 pregnant women were recruited in the last trimester of pregnancy, 20 diagnosed with hypertensive disease of pregnancy and 37 normotensive pregnant women. Urinary iodine concentration (UIC), TSH, free T4 (fT4), total antioxidant status (FRP), Superoxide dismutase (SOD), Catalase (CAT), and oxidative stress (TBARS) were evaluated by colorimetric methods. Results: UIC median for all pregnant women was of 151.9 µg / L. The UIC median for pregnant women with HPD was between 50-149 µg/L compared to 150-249 µg/L in normotensive women. No significant changes were found in levels of TSH and fT4 in normotensive pregnant compared with HPD women. Pregnant women with HPD had significant high levels of TBARS, and significant low levels of FRP, SOD, CAT and UIC compared to normotensive pregnant. In addition, pregnant women with optimal levels of UIC had a higher SOD activity (R = 0.354, P = 0.011), while iodine deficiency was associated with HPD (R = -0,281, p = 0.039). Similarly, pregnant with HPD had a significant negative association with SOD activity (R = -0,702, p = 0.005), CAT (R = -0,409, p = 0.002), and FRP (R = -0,624, p = 0.003), and a positive association with TBARS (R = 0.744, p = 0.001). Conclusion: iodine contributes to REDOX balance during pregnancy; its deficiency is associated with HPD. This study shows the importance of iodine during pregnancy.