Changes in pro/antioxidant balance in smoking and non-smoking pregnant women with intrauterine growth restriction

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of cigarette smoking on the pro/antioxidant balance in pregnant women with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).The studies have shown a 2-fold increase of Cd concentration in blood of women with IUGR in labour and a 10-fold increase in smoking pregnant women with IUGR. The increase of malondialdehyde concentration in plasma and 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in serum and Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase activity in erythrocyte lysate of pregnants with IUGR, reinforced by smoking, was revealed. We observed a decrease in the concentration of glutathione in blood and glutathione peroxidase activity in plasma and in erythrocyte lysate. A 4-fold higher metallothionein concentration in the plasma of women with IUGR in labour suggests that metallothionein may be one of the IUGR markers. Metallothionein concentration was intensified by smoking up to 7-fold in comparison to the controls. The pro/antioxidant balance during pregnancy is significantly affected by smoking.

► Smoking disturbs the pro/antioxidant balance in pregnancy and their infants and the engagement of antioxidant enzymes was shown to be differentiated.
► For the first time, the concentration of MT in extra- and intracellular environment compartment of pregnant women with IUGR was determined.
► A 4-fold higher MT concentration in the plasma of women with IUGR in labour suggests that MT may be one of the IUGR markers.