Investigation of some oxidative stress and trace elements levels in pregnant women

Pregnancy is characterized by a systemic inflammatory response that enhances the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), leading to oxidative stress (OS). This oxidative imbalance is implicated in several adverse pregnancy outcomes, including embryonic resorption, recurrent pregnancy loss, fetal developmental anomalies, preeclampsia (PE), preterm delivery, and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The present study aimed to summarize current knowledge on the role of selenium (Se), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn) in modulating biological pathways during gestation, with a focus on their potential to prevent pregnancy complications and protect maternal–fetal health. We evaluated the relationship between oxidative stress markers and trace elements (antioxidants: Se, Cu, and Zn) in pregnant women. Serum levels of selenium, copper, and zinc were measured using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) at the Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Science Application and Research Centre, oxidative stress was measured by using elisa technique. Results demonstrated significantly elevated oxidative stress levels in pregnant women compared to non-pregnant controls, evidenced by reduced superoxide dismutase (SOD) (508.7 ± 19.40 vs. 698.7 ± 20.28 U/L, p < 0.0001) and catalase (CAT) (6.551 ± 0.1605 vs. 8.604 ± 0.3235 U/L, p < 0.0001) activities, along with increased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (2.671 ± 0.1068 vs. 1.581 ± 0.04405 nmol/mL, p < 0.0001). Trace element analysis revealed elevated Cu (66.97 ± 9.503 vs. 9.879 ± 0.7999 µg/dL, p = 0.0043) and decreased Se and Zn concentrations in pregnant participants. These findings suggest that pregnancy is associated with heightened oxidative stress and altered trace element homeostasis. Supplementation with essential micronutrients may therefore mitigate oxidative stress and reduce the risk of pregnancy-related disorders such as PE, IUGR, and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Overall, this study establishes a strong correlation between trace element status and oxidative stress in pregnant women.