Oksidative Stress and Urotensine 2 Levels in maternal serum in pregnancies complicated by Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Objective: According to the previous studies, it has been noted that oxidative balance is disrupted in pregnancies complicated by idiopathic intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). The Urotensin-II (U-II) peptide, has been shown to have a role in many diseases in which oxidative and immunological mechanisms play a role in etiology. In this study, we aimed to investigate the U-II and oxidant/ antioxidant system parameters in pregnancies complicated by IUGR. Method: Thirty six pregnancies diagnosed as complicated by IUGR and 36 healthy control pregnancies enrolled into the study. Serum total antioxidant status (TAS), total oxidant status (TOS), U-II, oxidative stress index (OSI) and thiol-disulfide measurements were done in biochemistry laboratory of Gaziantep University. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between IUGR and control group for mean values of TAS, TOS, OSI, U-II, total thiol, native thiol, disulfide, disulfide/native thiol, disulfide/total thiol and nativ thiol/total thiol. The TOS and total thiol levels in IUGR group (p=0.021, r= 0.384) and the OSI and total thiol levels in control group (p= 0.049, r= 0.330) were positively correleted. In IUGR group the disulfide levels and the gestasyonel age at delivery (weeks) were negatively correleted (p= 0.027, r= 0.369). Conclusion: In conclusion, we could not find any significant difference in the oxidant/ antioxidant system parameters and U-II levels measured in sera of patients complicated with idiopathic IUGR compared with control group. In order to investigate the role of oxidative stress in IUGR, there is need to more extensive investigations which placental, maternal and fetal oxidative stress will evaluate together. Key words: Intrauterine growth restriction, oxidative stress, thiol-disulfide, urotensine 2.