Levels of Oxidative Stress Marker Malondialdehyde and Some Lipid Fractions in Women Diagnosed with Pre-Eclampsia in a Rural Hospital in South East Nigeria

Background: In this modern era, the incidence in the prevalence of pre-eclampsia keep increasing globally and Nigeria in particular, even in the face of extensive researches there are still un-collaborating results on the association between lipid peroxidation product (malondialdehyde) and the disease of imprecise etiology (pre-eclampsia). The disturbance in the metabolism of antioxidants and excess lipid peroxidation because of stress and other co-factors during pregnancy may be a contributing factor in the development of preeclampsia.

Aim: This investigation was carried out to compare the serum MDA status and some lipid fractions in women with preeclampsia and normal pregnancy in a rural hospital of Imo State Nigeria.

Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out on 50 pre-eclampsia and 50 normotensive pregnant women attending the Department of Medicine and Antenatal clinic of specialist Hospital Umuguma, Owerri Imo State. The ethics committee and participants gave their consent, (HMB/IM/VOL.30/110/2019/007) after the study protocol was detailed to them and approved.

Results: The mean serum MDA TG, VLDL-C, LDL were significantly higher in pre-eclamptic patients when compared to the controls (P<0.05). The mean HDL-C was lower in pre-eclamptic subjects when compared with the control (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the level of the mean Total Cholesterols between the groups (P>0.05).

Conclusion: This current investigation showed significant increase in lipid per oxidation activities and alteration in lipid metabolism in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia and which may be due to the failure of compensatory antioxidant functions in pregnant women with this disorder.