The effect of lead exposure in preeclampsia: Analysis of superoxide dismutase, homocysteine and MTHFR gene polymorphism

Some of the rural areas in Central Java still have the highest maternal mortality rate. Preeclampsia is the leading cause of maternal death in Indonesia. One of the factors contributing to the oxidative stress associated with preeclampsia is lead exposure. Various studies have clearly shown that superoxide dismutase deficiency (SOD) and increased homocysteine (Hcy) levels are consistently associated with the incidence of preeclampsia. Several studies also show the role of MTHFR A1298C and C677T gene polymorphisms in the occurrence of preeclampsia. This study investigated the association between lead exposure, blood SOD and Hcy levels, and MTHFR A1298C and C677T gene polymorphisms in Preeclampsia. This analytical observational case-control study was conducted in 70 cases of preeclampsia and 70 controls. Blood SOD and Hcy levels were measured using Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Lead level was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS). MTHFR A1298C and C677T gene polymorphism was genotyped using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragmentlLength polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). The data obtained were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, independent samples T-test and multivariate linear regression analysis. There was a significant difference (p=0.001) between the lead level in preeclampsia group (mean: 44.50±10.72) compared to the control (mean: 32.78±14.40). The homocysteine level in the preeclampsia cases (mean: 9.06±4.03) also differed significantly (p=0.004) from that of the control group (mean: 7.18±3.09). Increased levels of blood lead and homocystein levels are associated with the incidence of preeclampsia. We found no significant difference in SOD levels, MTHFR A1298C and C677T gene polymorphism between preeclampsia and control group.