[Plasma carbonyl group concentration in pregnant women with IUGR treated by L-arginine and acetylsalicylic acid].

OBJECTIVES

Carbonyl groups are the elements connecting protein structure, they influent into biological activity. High concentration of carbonyl groups means high risk of protein destruction.

DESIGN

The aim of this study was the evaluation of carbonyl group concentration in blood serum in normal pregnancy and in women with IUGR treated by L-arginine and acetylsalicylic acid.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The study was done at the Department of High Risk Pregnancy, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Medical University of Łódź, in 1999-2002. The study group included 80 pregnant women hospitalised due to foetal growth restriction, between the 32-th and 38-th weeks of pregnancy. The treatment was conducted for twenty days and consisted of everyday low dose aspirin (Acard) and L-arginine (NO precursor). The ultrasound and laboratory examinations were done on the first day of hospitalisation in both groups, and at 20-th day of treatment in the group of IUGR. The carbonyl groups concentration was measured by Levine method and expressed in mmol/1 mg proteins.

RESULTS

In controls mean value of carbonyl groups concentration was 1.848 +/- 0.291 mmol/1 mg proteins and after 20 days of observation 1.897 +/- 0.439. In the group with IUGR before treatment was 2.193 +/- 0.658. After 20 day of the therapy and the value decreased to 2.078 +/- 0.679. There is a significant difference between the value of carbonyl-groups concentration in normal pregnancy and IUGR. The carbonyl-groups concentration decreased after 20 days of treatment by L-arginine, and the value is still higher than in normal pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONS

Oxidative protein damage in IUGR decreased in the process of treatment.