OBJECTIVES: Carbonyl groups are the elements connecting protein structure, they influent into biological activity. High concentration of carbonyl groups means high risk of protein destruction. DESIGN: The aim of this study was the evaluation of carbonyl group concentration in blood serum in normal pregnancy and in women with IUGR treated by L-arginine and acetylsalicylic acid. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was done at the Department of High Risk Pregnancy, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Medical University of Łódź, in 1999-2002. The study group included 80 pregnant women hospitalised due to foetal growth restriction, between the 32-th and 38-th weeks of pregnancy. The treatment was conducted for twenty days and consisted of everyday low dose aspirin (Acard) and L-arginine (NO precursor). The ultrasound and laboratory examinations were done on the first day of hospitalisation in both groups, and at 20-th day of treatment in the group of IUGR. The carbonyl groups concentration was measured by Levine method and expressed in mmol/1 mg proteins. RESULTS: In controls mean value of carbonyl groups concentration was 1.848 +/- 0.291 mmol/1 mg proteins and after 20 days of observation 1.897 +/- 0.439. In the group with IUGR before treatment was 2.193 +/- 0.658. After 20 day of the therapy and the value decreased to 2.078 +/- 0.679. There is a significant difference between the value of carbonyl-groups concentration in normal pregnancy and IUGR. The carbonyl-groups concentration decreased after 20 days of treatment by L-arginine, and the value is still higher than in normal pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Oxidative protein damage in IUGR decreased in the process of treatment.
OBJECTIVES: Carbonyl groups are the elements connecting protein structure, they influent into biological activity. High concentration of carbonyl groups means high risk of protein destruction. DESIGN: The aim of this study was the evaluation of carbonyl group concentration in blood serum in normal pregnancy and in women with IUGR treated by L-arginine and acetylsalicylic acid. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was done at the Department of High Risk Pregnancy, Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Medical University of Łódź, in 1999-2002. The study group included 80 pregnant women hospitalised due to foetal growth restriction, between the 32-th and 38-th weeks of pregnancy. The treatment was conducted for twenty days and consisted of everyday low dose aspirin (Acard) and L-arginine (NO precursor). The ultrasound and laboratory examinations were done on the first day of hospitalisation in both groups, and at 20-th day of treatment in the group of IUGR. The carbonyl groups concentration was measured by Levine method and expressed in mmol/1 mg proteins. RESULTS: In controls mean value of carbonyl groups concentration was 1.848 +/- 0.291 mmol/1 mg proteins and after 20 days of observation 1.897 +/- 0.439. In the group with IUGR before treatment was 2.193 +/- 0.658. After 20 day of the therapy and the value decreased to 2.078 +/- 0.679. There is a significant difference between the value of carbonyl-groups concentration in normal pregnancy and IUGR. The carbonyl-groups concentration decreased after 20 days of treatment by L-arginine, and the value is still higher than in normal pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Oxidative protein damage in IUGR decreased in the process of treatment.