Placental Malondialdehyde and Glutathione Levels in a Controlled Trial of Antioxidant Treatment in Severe Preeclampsia

Objective: To investigate the changes occurring in placental lipid peroxide and antioxidant levels in a clinical trial of antioxidant treatment.Design: Randomized, placebo controlled.Subjects and Methods: Placental samples from patients in the controlled trial (n = 56) and healthy normal deliveries (n = 10).Intervention: Combined antioxidant treatment with vitamin E, vitamin C, and allopurinol.Main Outcome Measures: Effect of antioxidant therapy on placental lipid peroxides expressed as malondialdehyde-thiobarbituric acid reactive (MDA-TBAR) levels, and glutathione as an antioxidant.Results: Placental MDA-TBAR and glutathione levels were similar in the antioxidant and placebo groups. Both MDA-TBAR and glutathione levels were significantly higher in the preeclampsia patients (antioxidant and placebo) compared to levels in placentas from healthy normal deliveries.Conclusion: The combined antioxidant treatment protocol did not result in measurable changes in lipid peroxide levels. The higher MDA-TBAR levels in trial patients confirm increased lipid peroxidation in preeclampsia. High glutathione levels suggest increased activation of antioxidant systems.