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Feb 10, 2005Keywords:
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Some Biochemical Markers of Oxidative Stress in Pregnant Nigerian Women
Abstract
Objective: To determine serum levels of ascorbic acid, uric acid and bilirubin (antioxidants) , as simple markers of oxidative stress in pregnant Nigerian women.
Study Design, Setting, Subjects and Methods: Pregnant women numbering sixty-five, aged between 20-38 years, in their second and third trimesters were selected from the antenatal clinic, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH) Enugu. A comparable group of 65 non-pregnant women (controls) were also recruited. Serum levels of ascorbic acid were determined by Roe and Kenther method, uric acid by Brown\'s method and bilirubin by Powell\'s method.
Results: The serum levels of ascorbic acid, uric acid and bilirubin were each significantly lower in pregnant than in non-pregnant control subjects (p <0.05 in each case). There was also a steady decline in the serum levels of the antioxidants with increasing gestational age.
Conclusion : Antioxidant estimation may be useful in the assessment of the degree of oxidative stress in pregnancy. Increased intake is thus advocated.
Key Words: Antioxidants, biochemical markers, oxidative stress, pregnancy.
[Trop J Obstet Gynaecol, 2004; 21:122-124]
