IN VIVO STUDIES ON PROTECTIVE EFFECT OF EXOGENOUS ANTIOXIDANTS DURING NORMAL GESTATION

Abstract

The oxidative stress induced by excessive synthesis of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) or reduced antioxidant synthesis, is involved in physiological processes (normal pregnancy) or pathological processes, some of them with a great echo in the field of medical practice. For this reason, there are deeply justified the more frequent attempts to use in practice the compounds with antioxidant potential in the prophylaxis and treatment of some diseases which involve oxidative stress. The authors have studied the alterations of the oxidative stress parameters, assessed by the measuring of serum lipid peroxides, in the same time with the total antioxidant capacity- hydrogen donors, in Wistar female rats during gestation. The determinations were made in the 21st day and they were compared with the ones of a group of animals which have received during pregnancy- week 1, week 2, week 3- by gavages one dose of Chitosan (0,5 mg/animal/dose), a product known for its antioxidant capacity, and of a group of animals which received during pregnancy-week 1, week 2, week 3- one dose of Vitamin C (100 mg/animal/dose). After the results were analysed, it was concluded that during gestation there appears a significant increase of lipid peroxidation, but also of the antioxidant systems at the end of gestation, which confirms the involvement of oxidant/ antioxidant systems in normal pregnancy. In animals which received Chitosan during gestation or Vitamin C, respectively, there was a decrease of the oxidative stress parameters.