Isoprostanes, Prostaglandins and Tocopherols in Pre-eclampsia, Normal Pregnancy and Non-pregnancy

This study is designed to evaluate whether oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in severe pre-eclampsia compared to normal pregnancy and non-pregnancy. We have measured plasma and urinary levels of 8-iso-PGF2α, a major isoprostane as an indicator of oxidative stress; plasma and urinary 15-keto-dihydro-PGF2α, a major metabolite of cyclooxygenase-catalysed PGF2α as an indicator of inflammatory response, and plasma -α-and -γ-tocopherol in 18 pre-eclamptic, 19 normal pregnancy and 20 non-pregnant women. Pregnant women had significantly higher levels of 8-iso-PGF2α and PGF2α metabolite as compared to the non-pregnancy. Levels of 8-iso-PGF2α in the pre-eclamptic women did not differ from the normal pregnancy but PGF2α metabolite levels were significantly higher in normal pregnancy. On the other hand, γ-tocopherol levels were significantly lower in pre-eclampsia than normal pregnancy. In contrast, the concentration of α-tocopherol was very similar between the groups. α-and γ-tocopherol levels were sign...