Decreased activity of glutathione peroxidase with oral ferrous iron administration: A cause of oxidative stress

Abstract

Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) during pregnancy not only results in the disturbance of hematological parameters but has been found to be an additional cause of oxidative stress (OS). Moreover, oral iron for IDA during pregnancy has been found to worsen the condition. Present study aims to detect any alteration in glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity as an enzymatic anti-oxidant and its association with oral iron supplements. For study, 40 anemic pregnant women were prescribed with 200mg ferrous sulphate for 12 weeks (wks).A significant improvement in hemoglobin (Hb) and serum ferritin concentration (SFC) was seen after treatment (p<0.05). In contrast to the values for hematological parameters, GSH-PX was found to be same for control and anemic groups before iron supplements (p>0.05). A significant decrease in GSH-PX levels of anemic women was seen after iron therapy when compared with both the initial values and the control group (p<0.05). We found a positive association between oral iron administration and OS. Our results showed a strong association between oral iron supplements and SFC which supports the iron overload theory. It is therefore concluded that OS is associated with oral iron supplements during pregnancy.