Oxidative Stress and Renal Function in Severe Preeclampsia and Normal Pregnancy

Abstract

Background and Aims: Oxidative stress is implicated in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia and may contribute to maternal organ dysfunction. This study investigated differences in oxidative stress and renal function between patients with severe preeclampsia (SP) and those with normal pregnancy. Place and Duration of Study: Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the High Specialty Medical Unit, Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital No. 3, National Medical Center “La Raza” of the Mexican Institute of Social Security, Mexico City, Mexico, from June to December 2025. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was carried out in 30 patients with pregnancy complicated by SP (Group 1) and 42 patients with normal pregnancy (Group 2). The blood concentrations of the oxidative stress compounds malondialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and the biochemical markers of renal function, serum creatinine and uric acid, were determined in peripheral blood samples for intergroup comparison. Urine output was also included in the investigation as complementary data. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, paired Student's t-tests, and Pearson and Spearman  correlation coefficients (r) with the SPSS™ version 20 statistical program. A P value <.05 was considered significant. Results: Significant differences were found in the concentrations of MDA (Group 1: 15.2±4.05 vs Group 2: 6.57±1.72 µM, P=.0001), SOD (Group 1: 32.6±21.4 vs Group 2: 62.4±49.5 UI, P=.03), serum creatinine (Group 1: 0.73±0.13 vs Group 2: 0.62±0.12 mg/dL, P=.001), and urine output (Group 1: 129.5±107.13 vs Group 2: 217.93±127.20 ml/hour, P=.01), but not uric acid (Group 1: 6.84±1.87 vs Group 2: 4.44±0.97 mg/dL, P=.09). Group 1 correlations were as follows: MDA vs serum creatinine, r=-.13, P=.473; MDA vs uric acid, r=-.13, P=.49; MDA vs urine output, r=.29, P=.10; SOD vs serum creatinine, r=-.13, P=.65; SOD vs uric acid, r=-.21, P=.46; and SOD vs urine output, r=-.14, P=.62. Conclusion: Differences in the blood concentrations of MDA and SOD were identified, suggesting that oxidative stress may be involved in alterations in renal function in patients with SP. However, the correlations were not significant.