Thioredoxin-1 and oxidative stress status in pregnant women at early third trimester of pregnancy: relation to maternal and neonatal characteristics

This study examined the clinical and biological importance of thioredoxin-1, a redox-active defensive protein that controls multiple biological functions, in pregnant women. We measured serum concentrations of thioredoxin-1, total hydroperoxides, and redox potential in 60 pregnant women at the early third trimester: gestational age of 27-29 weeks. The thioredoxin-1 concentration (mean ± SD) was 90 ± 42 ng/ml. Total hydroperoxides was 471 ± 105 U.CARR (1 U.CARR = 0.08 mg/dl H(2)O(2)). Redox potential was 2142 ± 273 µmol/l. The total hydroperoxides: redox potential ratio (oxidative stress index) was 0.23 ± 0.08. Thioredoxin-1, total hydroperoxides, and oxidative stress index were higher and redox potential was lower than in blood of healthy adults. Total hydroperoxides and redox potential were mutually correlated significantly and negatively. Thioredoxin-1 correlated significantly and negatively and redox potential correlated significantly and positively with body weight and body mass index. Thioredoxin-1 and redox potential correlated significantly and positively with uric acid and albumin, respectively. Thioredoxin-1 and oxidative stress index correlated significantly and negatively and redox potential significantly and positively with neonatal birth weight. These results suggest that high concentrations of thioredoxin-1 are linked to high oxidative stress status in pregnant women and that neonatal birth weight is affected by the maternal oxidative condition during later pregnancy.