Objective: Preeclampsia is a pregnancy related disorder which may cause maternal and fetal complications and is observed in 2-7% of pregnancies. One cause of the disease is endothel damage. The role of oxidant-antioxidant system and trace elements are significant. The aim of the present study is to determine the status of oxidant-antioxidant system and the level of some trace elements.

Materials and Methods: Samples were collected form 25 pregnants without any risk aged 28±3 (Group I), and 25 pregnants with preeclampsia having systolic blood pressure of 160±12 and diastolic blod pressure of 100±16, edema and proteinuria. Plasma levels of zinc, copper, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroksidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA) and catalase were measured.

Results: Zn concentrations were 92.4±6.2 μg/dL in groop I and 65.8±9.1 μg/dL in group II. Cu concentrations revealed 77.3±5.1 μg/dL in group I and 59.9±4.3 μg/dL in group II. SOD activity was observed as 1120±89.8 U/ghb in group I and 628.6±67.4 U/ghb in Group II. Plasma catalase activity was detected as 966.5±67.2 ghb in Group I and 893.5±48.1 U/ghb in Group II. Plasma GSH-Px levels were 62.8±3.2 U/ghb in Group I and 48.8±1.1 U/ghb in Group II. MDA levels 2.8±0.5 nmol/L in Group I and 4.7±1.1 nmol/L in Group II. Plasma levels of Cu, Zn, SOD, GSH-Px were significantly lower in preeclampic group while MDA levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic group compared to control group (P<0.05). No difference were detected in catalase activity between two groups (P>0.05).

Conclusion: Results showed that oxidant system is dominant by preeclamptic patients and the levels of Zn and Cu which are important elements in endothelial development decrease. It is concluded that this situation predispose the preeclamipsia and therefore antioxidant status and level of trace elementes need to be considered in evaluated pregnants.