The Relationship between Oxidative Stress and Atherogenic Index (A.I.) in Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is the most common medical complication of pregnancy. About 10% of normotensive women and 20-25% chronic hypertensive women, in their first pregnancy suffer from pregnancy induced hypertension requires its early diagnosis and intervention. The aim of the study is to measure and correlate serum malondialdehyde (MDA) level (an index of oxidative stress) with Atherogenic Index (A.I.) in preeclampsia as compared to normal pregnant women. The present study involves 200 subjects in the age group of 20 to 35 years (devoid of diabetes, urinary tract infections, renal or liver disorders) primigravida, all in their third trimester, recruited from preeclampsia ward and OPD of Mahila Chikitsalaya, Sanganeri gate, Jaipur (Rajasthan). Out of total 200 subjects, 100 were preeclamptic and 100 were normotensive pregnant women. Data were statistically analyzed by “z” test for comparison of mean and Karl Pearson coefficient of correlation to quantify the association between the variables. The levels of serum MDA (nmol/ml) and Atherogenic Index (A.I.) were significantly elevated (p˂0.05) in preeclamptics (4.97±1.00 and 5.66±0.89) when compared to normotensive pregnant women (2.43±0.51 and 3.69±0.46), respectively. Moreover, a significant (p<0.05) positive correlation of MDA with A.I. in preeclamptic group (r=0.638) was seen in comparison of controls (r=0.108). Present study concluded that elevated serum MDA and Atherogenic Index (A.I.) in preeclamptic women compared with normal pregnant women suggest that oxidative stress in preeclampsia is associated with increased risk of future cardiovascular events.