Low molecular weight plasma antioxidants and lipid peroxidation in maternal and cord blood

To determine the concentrations of the low molecular weight antioxidants urate, bilirubin, albumin and sulphydryl groups and to measure lipid peroxidation levels in pair-matched maternal and cord blood plasma. Venous blood plasma concentrations of urate, bilirubin, albumin and sulphydryls were determined in healthy pregnant women and in pair matched umbilical cords. The ability of maternal and cord plasma to withstand Cu2+-induced lipid peroxidation was assessed by measuring the production of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) over time in plasma incubated with Cu2+. Forty healthy women, between 10 and 20 weeks gestation, were recruited randomly from an antenatal clinic. Venous blood samples were obtained from the mothers at the recruitment stage and from the umbilical cords of their newborn after delivery. Urate, bilirubin and sulphydryls were present in significantly higher concentrations (P