The Urinary Oxidative Stress Biomarkers in Preterm and Post-term Delivery

Objectives: this study aimed to investigate the correlation between urinary oxidative stress biomarkers with preterm and post-term pregnancy duration. Methods: a case-control study design was employed to enroll 90 women, with 30 women were term (control group), 30 women were preterm (first case group) and 30 women were post-term (second case group). Urine samples were collected before admission to operation theatre. Age and BMI were taken for each woman. Urinary oxidative stress biomarkers (Malondialdehyde, MDA, Hexanoyl-Lysine Adduct, HEL, and dityrosine, DT) were estimated. Enzymatic antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) was also measured in urine as well. Results: the results showed that MDA, HEL and DT were significantly correlated with preterm but not post-term delivery. SOD level was significantly correlated with both preterm and post-term pregnancy. Conclusions: Oxidative stress biomarkers may be an important contributor of premature birth. High levels of SOD may be implicated in the aetiology of post-term pregnancy. The causal relationship between oxidative stress biomarkers and gestational age may be further investigated by longitudinal studies.