Effects of exogenous antioxidants on oxidative stress in pregnancy

Objective: The present study evaluated the effects on gestation, in terms of oxidative stress, of two antioxidant factors–vitamin E and coenzyme Q10–during pregnancy, with the purpose of applying the results in further human clinical practice. Methods: For each aspect we have studied, we used three types of female rats of Wistar race (un–pregnant, primiparous, multiparous), divided in 10 rats/group. From the blood we have sampled, we have determined the oxidative stress (OS) markers: malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonylated proteins (CP), but also the markers of the antioxidant defense: the hydrogen donor capacity of the plasma (HD) and the sulfhydryl groups (SH). Results: Vitamin E administration determines significant decreases of MDA and significant increases of CP and HD at primiparous, and also significant increases of SH groups at multiparous. In the case of pregnant animals that received CoQ10 in antioxidant complexes, we have observed an increase of oxidative stress (OS)–MDA in primiparous and CP in multiparous. Conclusions: In the case of Vitamin E, taking into account the benefits on redox homeostasis, the decrease of OS, the authors recommend vitamin E administration during pregnancy. However, because of the increase of the OS in the case of pregnant animals, the authors do not recommend the administration of CoQ(10) in antioxidant complexes during pregnancy.