Levels of nitric oxide and adenosine deaminase in others who have conceived fetus with central nervous system malformations

Aim: The aim of this study was to establish the adenosine deaminase (ADA) activityand nitric oxide (NO) levels in women who had been pregnant with a central nervoussystem anomaly child.Materials-Methods: All cases of central nervous system malformations detected at orreferred to Inonu University Faculty of Medicine Gynecology and ObstetricsDepartment between July 2004 and July 2006 were prospectively collected. The studygroup was a group of 68 women who had been pregnant with a CNS anomaly child. Thestudy also included 68 control subjects who were matched for age, gestational age andbody mass index. Maternal serum ADA and NO levels were measured.Results: Mean plasma NO levels were 70.84 + 16.05 µmol/L in study group patientsand 73.60 ± 17.31 µmol/L in normal controls.52Plasma ADA activity was significantly higher in study group at 12.3 (1.7-33.3)U/l compared to median values of 3.3 (1.1-34.4) U/l in normal pregnancy (p<0.05). Thecut-off point ADA 5.9 > U/L was associated with the highest combination of specifity(58.8 %) and sensivity (86.8%).Conclusion: In the present study, serum ADA activity in women who have conceivedfetus with CNS malformations was significantly higher than that in normal pregnantwomen.Key words:Nitric oxide, ADA, CNS, Oxidative stres, cell damage.53