Local and systemic antioxidants in preeclamptic pregnant women with and without Periodontitis

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES :                         To investigate the total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde level in serum & gingival crevicular fluid in preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women with and without periodontal disease METHODS:                         A total of 60 pregnant patients whose age ranging from 20 - 35 years attending the Department of gynecology Rajah Muthiah Medical College and Hospital were selected for the present study and were divided into four groups as PREECLAMPTIC PREGNANT WOMEN WITH PERIODONTAL DISEASE, PREECLAMPTIC WITHOUT PERIODONTITIS, NORMOTENSIVE PREGNANT WOMEN  WITH PERIODONTITIS AND NORMOTENSIVE WITHOUT PERIODONTITIS.                         Following clinical examination Gingival crevicular fluid and blood sample was collected to analyze total antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde levels. RESULTS:                          Preeclamptic pregnant women had more periodontal involvement than normotensive pregnant women. The serum and gingival crevicular fluid total antioxidant capacity was lower in preeclamptic women with periodontal involvement than the normotensive and those without periodontitis whereas the levels of serum and gingival crevicular fluid malondialdehyde levels were higher in Preeclamptic Periodontitis individuals when compared with normotensive and those without Periodontitis. CONCLUSION Preeclamptic pregnant women have reduced antioxidants and increased oxidative stress and maternal Periodontal disease could worsen the condition.     KEY WORDS: Antioxidants,Periodontitis, Preeclampsia, Oxidative stress   Total word count- 192 word