Denisa Maceková, Oliver Rácz, Štefan Lukačín, Marek Brenišin
Oxidative stress (OS) is defined as an imbalance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant mechanisms in favour of free radicals.
OS results in activation of processes that can damage maternal and foetal tissues and organs during pathological
pregnancy. One of them is lipid peroxidation (LPX). Beside damaged tissues the source of LPX products in the blood
can be also the placenta and endothelium of mother and foetus. One of gestational complications is preeclampsia (PE).
PE is accompanied by increased OS and decreased antioxidant capacity. The lower level of non-enzymatic antioxidants
and lower activity of antioxidant enzymes may cause an activation of LPX and creation of higher amount of LPX products
that are released into the blood of women with PE in comparison with healthy pregnant women.