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Background: Folate, vitamin B12 and vitamin B6 are required for homocysteine metabolism and their deficiency can result in increased homocysteine concentration. Homocysteine concentrations have been found to be increased in late pregnancy toward nonpregnant values., Objective: To study folate, vitamin B12 and homocysteine levels in cord blood and maternal blood in preeclampsia., Materials and Methods: One hundred fifty pregnant women attending Out Patient Department of Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology were recruited for the study. Grouped as: GROUP I (control): Fifty normotensive women with singleton pregnancy immediately after delivery; GROUP II (study): Fifty (age and gestation matched women with singleton pregnancy) women with preeclampsia immediately after delivery; GROUP III (study): Fifty normotensive pregnant women were recruited in first trimester (8-12 weeks) that were followed in second (24-28 weeks) and third trimester (32-36 weeks). Homocysteine, vitamin B12 and folic acid levels were investigated by competitive immunoassay using direct chemiluminiscence technology., Results: Homocysteine and folic acid levels were higher in maternal blood of hypertensive pregnant women as compared to normotensive pregnant women (p<0.001, p>0.05 respectively). Vitamin B12 levels were lower in maternal blood of hypertensive pregnant women as compared to normotensive pregnant women. Levels of homocysteine were higher in cord blood of hypertensive pregnant women as compared to normotensive pregnant women (p<0.01). Levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid was lower in cord blood of preeclamptic women as compared to normotensive pregnant women (p<0.001, p<0.01 respectively). A negative correlation was found between homocysteine and folic acid levels of mothers in group II that was statistically significant., Conclusion: Elevated homocysteine and folate and vitamin B12 deficiency during pregnancy may be a risk factor for preeclampsia and future risk of cardiovascular risk., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.)

The present study was planned to assess IGF-1, leptin and cholinesterase levels in maternal blood of both normoglycaemics and hyperglycaemics preeclampsia. Twenty five normotensive pregnant women at the time of delivery were selected in as group I and sub grouped according to blood glucose less than or more than 85 mg/dL as I A (<85mg/dL) and I B (>85mg/dL). Study group (group II, n=25) comprised of preeclamptic women and was further divided into group II A (<85mg/dL) and group II B (>85mg/dL). Routine biochemical investigations along with IGF-1, leptin and cholinesterase levels were analyzed in maternal and cord blood of preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women. Serum IGF-1 levels were significantly lower in preeclamptic women and more so in those with hyperglycemia. Cord blood IGF-1 levels were nearly doubled in hyperglycemic preeclamptics as compared to normoglycemic preeclamptics. Leptin levels were higher in preeclamptic women and more in hyperglycemic preeclamptics. Cholinesterase levels were lowered in preeclamptic mothers and higher in hyperglycemics. Cord blood cholinesterase levels were reduced in preeclamptics, more so in hyperglycaemics as compared to group I. Diet recommendation, avoidance of excessive weight gain and healthy life style, exercise and nutritional interventions may be beneficial in these women., (Copyright© Bentham Science Publishers; For any queries, please email at epub@benthamscience.org.)

Hyperglycaemia and dyslipidaemia in diabetes mellitus induce increased lipid peroxidation and peroxyl radical formation is an important mechanism in genesis of micro-angiopathy. We took up a study on oxidative stress as measured by lipid peroxidation marker, malondialdehyde (MDA) and antioxidant enzyme status in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with and without retinopathy and compared them with a control non-diabetic group. MDA was significantly elevated (p < 0.001) in both the diabetic groups whereas antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), catalase (CAT) and reduced glutathione (GSH), etc, were significantly decreased (p < 0.001) which might be helpful in risk assessment of various complications of diabetes mellitus. The study included 100 subjects of age group 50-70 years, out of which 50 patients were non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) with retinopathy and rest 50 age and sex matched apparently healthy individuals (control group). The status of fasting blood sugar (FBS), postprandial blood sugar (PPBS), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (Tg), HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL- cholesterol, GPx, GR, CAT, SOD, MDA were determined. The results showed significant increase (p < 0.001) in FBS, PPBS, TC, TG, LDL-C, VLDL-C, CAT, MDA while HDL-C, GSH, GPx, GR and SOD were found to be decreased significantly (p < 0.001). The data suggest that alteration in anti-oxidant status and MDA may help to predict the risk of diabetic retinopathy.

Objective: There is a state of hypothyroxinemia in normal pregnancy and in preeclampsia, when biochemically raised TSH occurs. Identification of changes in thyroid hormones in preeclampsia might be of help in preventing the occurrence of preeclampsia., Material and Methods: The present study was carried out in a hundred women with preeclampsia, 100 age- and parity matched normotensive pregnant women and 50 age-matched healthy non-pregnant women. Thyroid hormones [total T3,T4 and TSH], serum albumin and uric acid were analyzed in these subjects., Results: Women with preeclampsia had higher TT3, TT4 levels as compared to non pregnant women [p<0.05], but preeclamptic TT3, TT4 levels were lower compared to normotensive pregnant women [p<0.05, p<0.01]. TSH levels were higher in both preeclamptic & normotensive pregnant women compared to nonpregnant women [p<0.001] and levels were lower in normotensive pregnant women as compared to nonpregnant women [p<0.001]. A significant negative correlation was observed between birth weight and TSH levels [r=-0.296, p<0.001] serum albumin and TSH levels in preeclamptic women [r=-0.781, p<0.01]. Also, a significant positive correlation was observed between birth weight and albumin [r=0.298, p<0.001]; birth weight and serum uric acid levels [r=-0.46, p<0.01], and serum albumin and TT3 & TT4 levels [r=0.409 & r=0.35, p<0.01 respectively]., Conclusion: These findings indicate that there is state of hypothyroxinemia in normal pregnancy and in preeclampsia. Identification of changes in thyroid hormones in preeclampsia might be of help in preventing the occurrence of preeclampsia.

Alpha-tocopherol level was measured spectrofluorometrically in 279 healthy volunteers to establish reliable reference values and to compare possible sex and age-related differences. In the present study, men had higher tocopherol levels than women (p<0.05) and older subjects had lower values. This study provides reference values for alpha-tocopherol that may assist it evaluating the anti-oxidant defense.

We measured lipoperoxides, as malonaldehyde (MDA) by thiobarbituric acid reaction in serum from 80 male and 120 female volunteers to establish reliable reference values and to compare possible sex- and age- related differences. In the present study women had higher MDA concentration in serum than do men (p<0.05) and older subjects had higher values (p<0.05). These age related results support the suggestions that lipid peroxidation increases with increasing age.