Lipid peroxidation products and superoxide dismutase activity in women depending on the phosphatidylethanol level in the first trimester of pregnancy

Background. Even small amounts of alcohol have an extremely negative effect on the fetus, especially in the early stages of gestation. It is known that ethanol promotes the formation of free radicals, but there is no data on the nature of the oxidative stress development in pregnant women depending on its blood level.

The aim. To assess the level lipid peroxidation products and superoxide dismutase activity in the first trimester of pregnancy for women, who consumed alcoholic bevera ges, depending on the phosphatidylethanol (PEth) level in the blood.

Materials and methods. The study included 165 women in the first trimester of pregnancy aged 18 to 40 years. To identify the fact and amount of alcohol consumption, the direct biomarker of alcohol 16:0/18:1PEth in blood plasma was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Depending on the concentration of PEth, groups of women consuming different doses of alcohol were identified: group 1 – PEth concentration < 8 ng/ml (non-drinkers; n = 63); group 2 – PEth concentration from 8 to 45 ng/ml (drinkers of less than 1 dose; n = 66); group 3 – PEth concentration ≥ 45 ng/ml (drinkers of more than 1 dose; n = 36). The content of lipid peroxidation products and superoxide dismutase activity was determined by spectrophotometric methods.

Results. It was found that lipid peroxidation intermediates level in the groups of women who consume alcohol, regardless of PEth 16:0/18:1 level in blood plasma, was significantly higher compared with the control (p < 0.05). The superoxide dismutase activity was higher in the group of pregnant women who consumed less than 1 dose of alcohol compared with the control (p < 0.05) and the group who consumed one or more doses of alcohol (p < 0.05).

Conclusion. The obtained results indicate the activation of lipid peroxidation processes in the first trimester of pregnancy regardless of the dose of alcohol-containing products consumed.

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