Oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, cytokine imbalance, gonadotropic synergism, or all about tocopherol in the practice of an obstetrician-gynecologist

Generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) occurs in every human. The condition of oxidative stress develops when the human antioxidant defenses including the enzymes superoxide dismutase, peroxidases etc., and biological antioxidant molecules, are insufficient. Vitamin E is part of the antioxidant family. It plays a key role in neutralizing ROS, and its scope of activity ranges from the inhibition of heme biosynthesis and lipid peroxidation to maintaining the collagen/elastin balance. Vitamin E deficiency may be either primary or secondary; both shift the balance towards the development of oxidative stress, which may affect the normal course of pregnancy. As a result, pregnancy loss or preterm birth may ensue. Moreover, the oxidative stress can have a negative impact on the development of a fetus. In addition, the oxidative stress may play a role in various female reproductive disorders, eventually leading to infertility. In the today’s world, the popular commitment to low-cholesterol and low-fat diets often leads to an increasing number of women with vitamin E deficiency. In order to maintain normal pregnancy, this imbalance requires an adequate correction starting at the stage of preconception care.

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Selenium and vitamin E: Reproductive disorders in dairy cows

Veterinarski glasnik ◽

10.2298/vetgl0702003j ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 61 (1-2) ◽

pp. 3-10 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mirjana Joksimovic-Todorovic ◽

Vesna Davidovic

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Vitamin E ◽

Oxidative Damage ◽

Dairy Cows ◽

Milk Production ◽

Lipid Membranes ◽

Ovarian Cysts ◽

Reproductive Disorders ◽

Vitamin E Deficiency ◽

Harmful Effects

Selenium and vitamin E deficiency leads to reproductive disorders in dairy cows: placental retention, ovarian cysts, metritis, reduced percentage of conception, abortions, birthing of poorly vital calves. Placental retention is a post partal disorder of multifactorial etiology which has harmful effects on reproduction and the feasibility of milk production. The administration of selenium and vitamin E reduces the incidence of placental retention, which suggests that oxidative stress is responsible for the occurrence of this disorder. The occurrence of ovarian cysts has as its consequence a disorder in the oestral cycle. Vitamin E prevents oxidative damage of lipid membranes by preventing the forming of destructive hydroperoxides, acting in synergy with selenium. These nutrients protect cell membranes and lipid organelles, inhibit and destroy endogenous peroxides, and in that way protect the integrity of the membranes and reduce oxidative stress.

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Severe Vitamin E deficiency exacerbates acute hyperoxic lung injury associated with increased oxidative stress and inflammation

Free Radical Research ◽

10.1080/10715760802189864 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 42 (6) ◽

pp. 602-612 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Shigeo Yamaoka ◽

Han-Suk Kim ◽

Tohru Ogihara ◽

Shinya Oue ◽

Kimitaka Takitani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Vitamin E ◽

Lung Injury ◽

Vitamin E Deficiency ◽

Severe Vitamin ◽

Hyperoxic Lung Injury

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Localization of α-tocopherol transfer protein in the brains of patients with ataxia with vitamin E deficiency and other oxidative stress related neurodegenerative disorders

Brain Research ◽

10.1016/s0006-8993(99)01090-2 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 822 (1-2) ◽

pp. 80-87 ◽

Cited By ~ 87

Author(s):

Richard P. Copp ◽

Thomas Wisniewski ◽

Fayçal Hentati ◽

Abdelmajid Larnaout ◽

Mongi Ben Hamida ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Vitamin E ◽

Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽

Vitamin E Deficiency ◽

Transfer Protein

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Vitamin E status and reproduction in sheep: potential implications for Australian sheep production

Animal Production Science ◽

10.1071/an13243 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 54 (6) ◽

pp. 694 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Shimin Liu ◽

David Masters ◽

Mark Ferguson ◽

Andrew Thompson

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Vitamin E ◽

Immune Function ◽

Primary Source ◽

Late Gestation ◽

Ovarian Activity ◽

High Concentration ◽

Vitamin E Deficiency ◽

Sheep Production ◽

Vitamin E Status

Vitamin E concentrations in dried pastures, stubble and most grains are below the recommended requirement of 10–25 mg/kg dry matter (DM). Sheep grazing in an environment when dry pastures and cereal crop stubbles are their primary source of nutrients for a few months have a high risk of developing vitamin E deficiency. If the low vitamin E status coincides with late gestation, the neonate is likely to have a deficiency of vitamin E. Some of the consequences of this are well known, with nutritional myopathy (with high mortality) a risk in young growing sheep unless vitamin E supplements are provided. Vitamin E plays an important role in the management of oxidative stress. Sperm are subject to oxidative damage due to high metabolic rate and high concentration of polyunsaturated fatty acids in their membranes. Oxidative stress may also compromise follicular development and ovarian activity. Vitamin E is also involved with improvement in immune response. For these reasons, vitamin E status is important for reproductive efficiency in both males and females and in the survival of lambs and weaners. In addition, vitamin E deficiency is potentially exacerbated by a lack of other nutrients involved in the management of oxidative stress and immune function, such as selenium (Se) and sulfur amino acids. A Se concentration of 0.1 mg/kg DM in feedstuffs is required to maintain immune competency in sheep. In considering possible consequences for reproduction, further investigation is justified into: (i) effects of low vitamin E, in combination with low levels of other natural antioxidants, on the quality and quantity of sperm produced before and during mating; (ii) follicle development, fertilisation and embryonic mortality in Se-supplemented ewes; (iii) assessment of supplementing formulated antioxidants to rams and ewes during the mating season; (iv) managing oxidative stress in the newborn – consequences of large doses of vitamin E to ewes before parturition to boost lamb reserves; (v) potential benefits to lamb survival through boosting maternal innate immunity; (vi) choices for boosting antioxidant and immune function in ewes and lambs through ‘immune pack’ nutrient options that may target nutrients lacking in dry grass pastures; (vii) the potential role of heat stress in modifying the requirements for, and responses to, vitamin E in extensive grazing systems.

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Suppression of steroidogenesis and activator protein-1 transcription factor activity in rat adrenals by vitamin E deficiency–induced chronic oxidative stress

The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry ◽

10.1016/j.jnutbio.2003.11.007 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 15 (4) ◽

pp. 210-219 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Parveen Abidi ◽

Susan Leers-Sucheta ◽

Salman Azhar

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Transcription Factor ◽

Vitamin E ◽

Activator Protein 1 ◽

Transcription Factor Activity ◽

Factor Activity ◽

Vitamin E Deficiency ◽

Activator Protein ◽

Chronic Oxidative Stress ◽

Rat Adrenals

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Familial vitamin E deficiency: Multiorgan complications support the adverse role of oxidative stress

Nutrition ◽

10.1016/j.nut.2018.11.012 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 63-64 ◽

pp. 57-60 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Elisa Trotta ◽

Stefano Bortolotti ◽

Gabriella Fugazzotto ◽

Cinzia Gellera ◽

Sara Montagnese ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Vitamin E ◽

Vitamin E Deficiency

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Accelerated apoptosis, oxidative stress, and cholinergic inflammation in blood of metalworkers

Toxicology and Industrial Health ◽

10.1177/07482337211053164 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 074823372110531

Author(s):

Gabriela Bonfanti-Azzolin ◽

Camila P Capelleti ◽

Kelly S Rodrigues ◽

Suellen Da R Abdallah ◽

Ana P Frielink ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Chronic Diseases ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Plasma Lipid ◽

Chemical Exposure ◽

Reactive Species ◽

Antioxidant Defenses ◽

Metalworking Fluids ◽

Mitochondrial Potential

Metalworkers are exposed to numerous chemicals in their workplace environment, such as solvents, heavy metals, and metalworking fluids, that have a negative impact on their health. Furthermore, there is an increase in the prevalence of chronic diseases among metalworkers; however, the molecular mechanisms involved in this increased predisposition to chronic diseases are unclear. Considering that occupational exposure represents a potential risk for metalworkers, the aim of this study was to measure biomarkers of oxidative stress, inflammation, and cytotoxicity in the peripheral blood of metalworkers from Southern Brazil. The study included 40 metalworkers and 20 individuals who did not perform activities with any recognized exposure to chemical substances, such as those working in administration, commerce, and education, as controls. Cellular and molecular biomarkers as leukocyte viability, intracellular production of reactive species, mitochondrial mass and membrane potential and plasma lipid peroxidation, sulfhydryl groups, total antioxidant capacity, and butyrylcholinesterase activity were evaluated in the blood of metalworkers and controls. Metalworkers were found to have higher rates of apoptosis, increased production of reactive species, and increased mitochondrial potential and mass in leukocytes associated with decreased antioxidant defenses and increased activity of the butyrylcholinesterase enzyme in their plasma. It can be concluded that cytotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation are involved in the multiplicity of health outcomes related to chemical exposure in the metalworking industry.

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Angiogenesis and oxidative stress-related gene variants in recurrent pregnancy loss

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rd17117 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (3) ◽

pp. 498 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Marcela Felix Fortis ◽

Lucas Rosa Fraga ◽

Juliano André Boquett ◽

Thayne Woycinck Kowalski ◽

Caroline Gross Dutra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Nitric Oxide ◽

Pregnancy Loss ◽

Recurrent Pregnancy Loss ◽

Normal Pregnancy ◽

Susceptibility Factors ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Prostaglandin Endoperoxide Synthase ◽

Oxide Synthase ◽

Endothelial Growth Factor

Recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) affects ~3–5% of couples attempting to conceive and in around 50% of cases the aetiology remains unknown. Adequate vascularisation and placental circulation are indispensable for the development of a normal pregnancy. Prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the nitric oxide (NO) systems play important roles in reproductive physiology, participating in several steps including implantation and apoptosis of trophoblast cells. In this study we evaluated genetic polymorphisms in the inducible nitric oxide synthase (NOS2), PTGS2 and VEGFA genes as susceptibility factors for RPL. A case-control study was conducted in 149 women having two or more miscarriages and 208 controls. Allele and genotype distributions of the polymorphisms studied in the two groups were not statistically different. However, the dominant model showed that the presence of variant T (TT/GT) of rs2779249 (−1290G > T) of NOS2 was significantly associated with RPL (OR = 1.58, CI 95% = 1.03–2.44; P = 0.037). The increased risk remained significant when adjusted for number of pregnancies, alcohol consumption and ethnicity (OR = 1.92, CI95% = 1.18–3.11; P = 0.008). These results suggest that the variant genotypes of the functional polymorphism rs2779249 in the NOS2 promoter are a potential risk for RPL, possibly due to oxidative stress mechanisms.

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