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Oxidative stress elevated DNA damage and homocysteine level in normal pregnant women in a segment of Pakistani population

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Abstract

Maternal oxidative stress during pregnancy may impair fetal growth and help in the development of diseases in adulthood. The aim of current study was to assess total oxidation status (TOS), related parameters and their relationship to DNA damage (%) and homocysteine level in normal pregnant women in low-income participants. In a cross-sectional study healthy women were grouped as normal, while age matched nulliparous and singleton pregnancies were included for first, second and third trimester groups. TOS (P < 0.01), melanodialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.001), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (P < 0.01), triiodothyronine (T3) (P < 0.01), thyroxine (T4) (P < 0.01), and homocysteine (P < 0.001), in pregnant women were significantly higher as compared to normal healthy women. While serum total proteins (P < 0.01), albumin (P < 0.01) and total antioxidant status (TAS) (P < 0.001) decreased significantly as compared to normal healthy women. Women in third trimester showed a significantly high level of body temperature (P < 0.01), triglyceride (P < 0.01), LDL-cholesterol (P < 0.05), AST (P < 0.01), T3 (P < 0.01), homocysteine (P < 0.001), TOS (P < 0.01) and MDA (P < 0.001) but a lower concentration of serum proteins, albumin and TAS at the end of the pregnancy. Pearson correlation indicated a positive relationship of homocysteine with triglycerides (P < 0.027), TOS (P < 0.01), MDA (P < 0.035) and had a negative relationship with total protein (P < 0.026). DNA damage was strongly related with T3 (P < 0.008), TOS (P < 0.02), MDA (P < 0.037) and MBI (P < 0.048) profiles of pregnant women. These changes were considered normal for pregnant women having optimum blood pressure and normal child birth. Hormonal influences and hemodilution may contribute towards the observed changes in this study.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by University of Agriculture, Faisalabad and University of the Punjab. Higher Education Commission provided some funds for purchase of equipment. Some chemicals were purchased through a USAID grant funds under PSTC 6.613. Technical staff is thanked for analytical help.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Agricultural Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38040, Pakistan

    Shazia A. Bukhari

  2. Department of Bioinformatics and Biotechnology, Government College (GC) University, Allama Iqbal Road, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan

    Muhammad Ibrahim Rajoka, Z. Ibrahim & Shahid Mahboob Rana

  3. National Institute for Biotechnology & Genetic Engineering (NIBGE), Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan

    Fatima Jalal

  4. Department of Chemistry, University of the Punjab, Lahore, 56459, Pakistan

    Saeed A. Nagra

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  1. Shazia A. Bukhari
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Correspondence to Muhammad Ibrahim Rajoka.

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Bukhari, S.A., Rajoka, M.I., Ibrahim, Z. et al. Oxidative stress elevated DNA damage and homocysteine level in normal pregnant women in a segment of Pakistani population. Mol Biol Rep 38, 2703–2710 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-010-0413-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-010-0413-7

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