Abstract

The exact pro-oxidant and antioxidant status in gestational diabetes is still unclear. To add new insight to the question, changes in the lipid peroxidation products (MDA) and activities of antioxidant enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in red blood cell hemolysates were evaluated in 20 women with gestational diabetes. 20 healthy pregnant women served as the control group. Statistical analysis was done using unpaired Student’ t – test. Pregnant women with gestational diabetes showed an increase in lipoperoxidation products (P<0.001) and a decrease in SOD activity (P<0.01) as compared to normal pregnant women while no significant change was observed in catalase activity. These findings suggest increased oxidative stress and decreased detoxification or free radical scavenging capacity in pregnancy complicated by diabetes.