Role of Serum Ceruloplasmin and Its Ferroxidase Activity on Preterm Labor

• Published in: Gynecologic and obstetric investigation Vol. 46; no. 1; pp. 34 - 36
• Main Authors: Vitoratos, N., Botsis, D., Christodoulacos, C., Contoravdis, A., Dalamaga, A., Chryssicopoulos, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland Karger 01.01.1998; S. Karger AG
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Ceruloplasmin - metabolism; Delivery. Postpartum. Lactation; Disorders; Female; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture - blood; Fetal Membranes, Premature Rupture - enzymology; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Medical sciences; Obstetric Labor, Premature - blood; Obstetric Labor, Premature - enzymology; Original Paper; Pregnancy; Greece; Europe; Ceruloplasmin; Preterm labor; Rupture of the membranes; Ferroxidase I; Human; Ferroxidase; Pregnancy disorders; Enzyme; Pathogenesis; Premature rupture of membrane; Premature delivery; Glycoproteins; Labour; Blood plasma; Assay; Enzymatic activity; Delivery disorders; Adult; Female; Oxidoreductases; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0378-7346; 1423-002X
• DOI: 10.1159/000009993

The role of serum ceruloplasmin and its ferroxidase activity on preterm labor with or without rupture of the membranes was studied. Thirty-seven primigravid women between 31 and 35 weeks of gestation were investigated. Our material is divided into 3 groups. Group A consisted of 12 patients with premature rupture of the membranes; group B consisted of 10 patients with preterm labor but intact membranes, and group C consisted of 15 non-laboring patients. Patients with rupture of the membranes presented with statistically significantly higher serum ceruloplasmin levels compared to those with preterm labor but intact membranes (p < 0.05) as well as to non-laboring patients (p < 0.01). On the contrary, the mean ferroxidase activity level or ceruloplasmin was 518.2 ± 183.42, 460.9 ± 198.8 and 517.5 ± 142.01 µmol/l/min in groups A, B and C, respectively. These values were not significantly different. Our results show a loss of ferroxidase activity of ceruloplasmin in patients with rupture of the membranes and probably suggest a defect in the maternal defense mechanisms.