Assessment of the magnesium and iron status in preeclampsia and its relationship with oxidative stress and inflammation

Abstract

Preeclampsia (PE) is pregnancy-specific hypertensive syndrome, which affects 5% to 8% of the pregnant women, and is one of the main causes of maternal and perinatal mortality. Although the etiology of PE is still unknown, alterations in the endothelium associated with oxidative stress and inflammatory response are some of the factors which are more accepted to explain the genesis of PE. Concurrently, some studies have shown that Mg and Fe may be related to the reduction of the antioxidant capacity, increase in the production of free radicals and inflammatory response. However, there is a gap in the studies which demonstrate the involvement of Mg and Fe metabolism and its relationship with these possible metabolic processes present in PE. Thus, the object of this study will be to evaluate Mg and Fe status and its involvement in oxidative stress and inflammatory response in pregnant women with PE. Pregnant women will be selected at Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo. Mg and Fe status will be evaluated through food consumption and through its concentration in biological fluids. Markers of oxidative stress and inflammatory response, together with nitric oxide metabolism and concentration of hepcidin, a hormone involved in Fe metabolism, will also be evaluated. (AU)