Maternal plasma total antioxidant status in preterm labor

AIM: To investigate the role of oxidative stress and antioxidant status in preterm labor. METHODS: Twenty-five cases diagnosed with preterm labor were included in the study group, whereas 25 women with uncomplicated pregnancies at similar stages of pregnancy were included in the control group. Total antioxidant status was measured in maternal plasma using a Hitachi 911 auto analyzer and a total antioxidant status kit (Randox Laboratories, UK) in mmol/L. RESULTS: Mean serum antioxidant status were lower in patients (1.002 ± 0.177 mmol/L) than in controls (1.258 ± 0.147 mmol/L) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Women with preterm labor have decreased total antioxidant status compared with uncomplicated pregnancies in similar gestational weeks. Future work should clarify whether decreased total antioxidant status precedes preterm labor in a prospective cohort study.