Coenzyme Q10 levels in maternal and cord blood in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy

MARTINEFSKI M; SAMASSA, P; COCUCI, S; DI CARLO M.B; RUDA VEGA, H.; LUCANGIOLI S.; PERAZZI B; TRIPODI V

Congreso; LXII Reunión Anual de la Sociedad Argentina de Investigación Clínica; 2017

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a high-risk medical condition due to the serious consequences it may have on the fetus. ICP is characterized by bile acid accumulation in maternal serum which leads to an imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and antioxidant defenses thus enhancing an oxidative environment for the fetus. In previous studies we reported that women with ICP have decreased plasma coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) levels. CoQ10 is a redox substance integrated into the mitochondrial respiratory chain which acts as an electron carrier to generate cellular energy. Further, it is recognized as the primary regenerating antioxidant playing an intrinsic role against oxidative insult. In the present study, we measured CoQ10 and bile acids levels in maternal and umbilical cord blood in normal pregnancy and ICP (n= 23 and n=13, respectively). Total bile acids (TBA) were significantly higher in maternal and umbilical cord blood from ICP (p