[Glutathione peroxidase activity in normal and preeclamptic placentas].

Objective: The decrease of placental glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity may lead to exacerbation of lipid peroxidation in preeclamptic placentas.

Design: The aim of the study was the determination of GSH-Px activity in placentas from normal and preeclamptic pregnancies (with and without intrauterine growth retardation-IUGR).

Materials And Methods: The investigations comprised placentas obtained immediately after delivery from 24 normal pregnancies (group K), 26 pregnancies complicated by severe preeclampsia-PE (group PE) and 23 pregnancies complicated by severe PE and IUGR (group PEI). The activity of GSH-Px was determined using a spectrophotometric method and expressed as IU/g protein. Comparative analysis was performed using u Mann-Whitney test.

Results: Mean activity of GSH-Px (MGSH-Px) in the PEI group--5.38 +/- 1.59 (M +/- SD), was significantly lower (p < 0.001) as compared to MGSH-Px in the group K (7.22 +/- 1.21). MGSH-Px in the PE group (6.47 +/- 1.31) was lower than MGSH-Px in the group K, but this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). MGSH-Px in the group PEI was significantly lower (p = 0.023) as compared to MGSH-Px in the PE group.

Conclusions: The activity of GSH-Px is decreased in placentas from pregnancies complicated by severe PE and IUGR. Received results may indicate that the decrease of placental GSH-Px activity may be involved in pathogenesis of IUGR in preeclamptic pregnancies.