Role of GPx and TNF-alpha in Elderly Primigravidas

Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry, 2008 / 23 (3) 227-232
NORMAL DELIVERY INDUCED STRESS ALTERS GLUTATHIONE PEROXIDASE AND TNF-α IN ELDERLY PRIMIGRAVIDAS MONONUCLEAR CELLS

Nasreen Noor, Najmul Islam*, Shagufta Moin, Abbas Ali Mahdi**, Sapna Jaiswal** and Farzana Bano***
Departments of Obstetrics &Gynecology and *Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, J. N. Medical College, A. M. U., Aligarh,
**Department of Biochemistry, King George’s Medical University, Lucknow, India, and
***Department of Biochemistry, Era’s Lucknow Medical College, Lucknow, India.
ABSTRACT
To probe the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity coupled to ROS and TNF-α levels in younger versus elderly primigravidas. Monocytes were isolated from blood of young and elderly primigravidas after 12 hrs, hrs and 14 days postpartum. Age-matched healthy female donors served as controls. Thereafter, the above monocytes were subjected to evaluation of GPx activity, levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α and reactivity specificity towards anti-TNF-α antibody. Suppression in GPx activity with simultaneous enhancement of
TNF-α levels in monocytes was observed after 12 hrs and 24 hrs of spontaneous labor pain-induced maternal delivery through normal vaginal route. Conversely, an enhancement of GPx activity and decrease in TNF- levels were observed on day 14 of postpartum, thereby indicating reversal of the impaired neutralizing mechanisms. The antioxidant network combating ROS was stronger in younger primigravidas. Capability of TNF-α and ROS suppression was somewhat lesser in elderly primigravidas even 14 days of postpartum via normal vaginal route. The capability of GPx activity enhancement with simultaneous suppression in ROS and TNF-α, decreases in elderly primigravidas. This may act as one of the important parameters leading to a
variety of complications encountered by elderly primigravidas.
KEY WORDS
Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), Monocytes, Glutathione peroxidase.
Address for Correspondence :
Dr. Najmul Islam
Department of Biochemistry
Faculty of Medicine, J. N. Medical College,
AMU, Aligarh 202002, India
Mobile : +91-9412876384
E-mail : najmulamu@gmail.com