Study On The Antioxidant Capacity Of Anemic Pregnant Women Supplemented With Iron, Vitamin A And Vitamin B₂

Objective To investigate the nutritional status of the anemic pregnant women and examine the effect of iron (Fe), folic acid ( FA ) vitamin A (VA)and vitamin B2 (VB2) supplementation on the antioxidant capacity. Methods The pregnant women in the 2nd trimesters of pregnancy were distributed into anemia group(Hb 80-105g/L) and non-anemia group (Hb>110g/L) according to their hemoglobin concentration. The anemia group was allocated into 5 groups randomly, named as I group, IF group, IFA group, IFB group and IFAB group. Ferrous sulfate was a supply of iron. Subjects were supplemented with 60mg Fe (I), 60mg Fe+400 g FA (IF), 60mgFe4400 g FA+2000 g VA (IFA), 60mgFe+400 g FA+2000 gVA+1.0mgVB2 (IFB), 60mgFe+400 g FA+2000 gVA+1.0mgVB2 (IFAB) respectively. Subjects were daily supplied with capsules in the five kinds of color. The trial lasted 8 weeks. The survey of 24-hour's diet recall was made for subjects to evaluate intake of iron, retinol, riboflavin, folic acid, etc. Samples of fasting blood were collected twice at the beginning and the end of the trial. The samples from non-anemic pregnant women were got once only at the beginning. Levels of hemoglobin, plasma vitamin A , folic acid ,blood BGRAC and plasma SOD, GSH- Px and MDA were determined; erythrocyte membrane fluidity was detected by fluorescence-polarization method. Results The results of dietary survey on anemic pregnant women showed that protein, iron, VA and VB2 intakes were low, compared with RNIs. The prevalence of plasma VA and VB2 deficiencies was 73.5% and 75% respectively. The incidence of iron deficiency and anemia was 47.47% (Hb 80-105g/L), of which serum ferritin below 12 g/L was 80.6%. The level of plasma SOD (81.01U/mL) and the activity of GSH-Px (72.56U) were lower than those in non-anemia group (89.15U/ml, 88.89U,P<0.01), while MDA (5.02nmol/ml) level and erythrocyte membrane (P=0.2562, =2.7586) fluidity was higher than those non-anemia group. After iron supplementation, the level of plasma SOD (103.01U/mL) and the activity of GSH-Px (92.76U) were increased, while the level of plasma MDA (3.98nmol/ml) decreased significantly. The erythrocyte membrane fluidity (P=0.2482, =2.4440,P<0.01) was increased. Moreover, compared with I group, the level of SOD and the activity of GSH-Px increased, MDA decreased and erythrocyte membrane fluidity improved significantly in IFA, IFB and IFAB group. The differences of SOD, GSH-Px, MDA and the erythrocyte membrane fluidity between IFA and IFB groups were not found. The level of SOD and the activity of GSH-Px were much higher in IFAB group than IFA and IFB group; while levels of plasma MDA, P and were declined ( P>0.05 ) . Conclusion l.The intakes of iron, VA and VB2 were low compared with the RNIs. The sources of protein and iron mainly come from vegetables or cereals. 2. A high status of oxidative stress was found in anemic pregnant women. Lipid peroxidation or high level ofplasma MDA might be related to the iron deficiency or anemia, and pregnancy as well.3. Iron-supplementation played an important role in maintaining the anti-oxidative capacity. Combination of iron with vitamin A, VB2 and folic acid supplementation effectively enhanced the anti-oxidative activities of anemic pregnant women.4. Peripheral blood erythrocyte membrane fluidity and cell function decreases in anemic pregnant women compared with non-anemia pregnant women. Erythrocyte membrane fluidity was improved after iron and antioxidant vitamin supplement.