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Plasma antioxidant enzyme levels in smoker and non-smoker pregnant women and their correlation with uterine arterial Doppler parameters

Ozgul Ozgan Celikel, Volkan Noyan, Osman Caglayan

Introduction: Cigarettes contain many free radicals and cause oxidative stress in the body. Its contents decrease blood fluidity and blood stream by affecting the vascular endothelium; further, they directly or indirectly impair placental perfusion.

Material and Method: Catalase (CAT), malondialdehyde (MDA) and total sulfhydryl (SH) levels were analysed in venous blood specimens obtained from 49 smoker and 35 non-smoker pregnant women (age, 18-35 y) who were in the second trimester. Uterine arterial Doppler ultrasonography was performed to evaluate uterine perfusion. Pulsatile index (PI), resistance index (RI) and systole/diastole ratio (S/D) was measured. The smoker group was further subdivided into two groups: 1. those who smoked for <5 y and 2. Those who smoked for >5 y. Obtained data were analysed using the SPSS 11 statistical programme.

Results: No significant differences were observed between the smoker and non-smoker groups in terms of demographic parameters and right–left uterine arterial Doppler parameters. The mean S/D ratio was significantly higher in the smoker group (P=0.01). The mean PI, mean RI and plasma MDA, CAT and total SH levels were similar in both groups. Although not statistically significant, the mean PI, RI and S/D ratio values of the smoker pregnant women who smoked for ≥ 5 y was found to be higher than of those who smoked for <5 y.

Conclusion: There is no correlation between plasma antioxidant enzyme levels and uterine artery Doppler parameters; however, the duration of smoking may affect uterine perfusion.