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Am J Perinatol 2002; 19(2): 093-098
DOI: 10.1055/s-2002-23554
Copyright © 2002 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Hyperemesis Gravidarum Is Associated with Oxidative Stress

Vladimir Fait1 , Shifra Sela2 , Ela Ophir1 , Samer Khoury1 , Jacob Nissimov1 , Michael Tkach1 , Yael Hirsh1 , Samiya Khotaba1 , Lidiya Tarasova1 , Moshe Oettinger3
  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, , Western Galilee Hospital, Naharyia
  • 2Eliachar Research Laboratory, Western Galilee Hospital, Naharyia
  • 3Bruce Rappaport School of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel
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Publication Date:
02 April 2002 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Hyperemesis gravidarum (HEG), associated with pregnancy, is a severe form of nausea and vomiting causing decrease in nutrient antioxidants. Hence, we hypothesize that oxidation injury may be involved in the pathogenesis of HEG. Plasma levels of the ubiquitous antioxidant, reduced glutathione (GSH) may serve as a sensitive measure for systemic oxidative stress. Women with pregnancies complicated by HEG (study group) were compared with pregnant women without HEG (pregnant control group) and with healthy nonpregnant women (nonpregnant control group). Plasma GSH levels were determined in the study group at the time of admission to hospital, and when the vomiting had ceased, it was compared with those of the two control groups. Plasma GSH levels were significantly higher in the pregnant control group than in nonpregnant controls (6.13 ± 2.9 μM vs. 1.01 ± 0.3 μM p <0.01). In contrast, values in the HEG women at the time of admission were significantly lower than the pregnant controls (3.12 ± 1.6 μM, p <0.01). At the second sampling, when the women had ceased vomiting, plasma GSH values were higher than at the acute stage of the illness and were no longer significantly different from the pregnant control group (4.43 ± 1.6 μM). Low values of plasma GSH in HEG patients suggest that oxidative stress is associated with this condition.

KEYWORD

Hyperemesis gravidarum - oxidative stress - glutathione

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