Lymphocyte Apoptosis in Third Trimester of Pregnancy
CC05-CC08
Correspondence
Dr. Zainab M Alawad,
Assistant Lecturer, Department of Physiology, College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, Bab Al Muadam,
P.O.Box-61023, Mail Code-12114, Baghdad, Iraq.
E-mail: z_m_ch@yahoo.com
Introduction:During pregnancy, the female’s body undergoes many adaptations, including changes in the number and survival of White Blood Cells (WBCs). Programmed deaths of the cells are an important regulatory process that happens under a variety of physiological and pathological conditions.
Aim: To measure the percentage of apoptosis of lymphocytes in peripheral blood of pregnant females and healthy non pregnant females, and to compare lymphocytes apoptosis between them in term of blood pressure and blood sugar. Also, to relate this apoptosis to blood sugar levels and blood lead levels.
Materials and Methods: Fourty two pregnant females in their third trimester had been enrolled in the prospective study and were considered as the patients group. They were recruited from the labour room of the Baghdad Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq. The control group consisted of 15 healthy non pregnant women with matched age. Blood samples were collected from both groups and subjected to lymphocytes apoptosis estimation; blood sugar level and blood lead level measurements. Blood lead level was measured using blood lead analyser kit. Lymphocytes examination and separation was done. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 20.0. ANOVA test, Independent sample t-test and Pearson correlation test were also used.
Results: There was no significant difference in age and blood lead level between patients and control groups. Lymphocyte apoptosis was significantly higher in the patients group than the control group (3.50±2.24 vs. 1.49±0.66). Lead level correlated positively and significantly with lymphocyte apoptosis in both groups. Apoptosis level was not significantly higher in hypertensive patients however, it was significantly higher in diabetic patients.
Conclusion:Lymphocytes apoptosis is significantly higher in third trimester of pregnancy and it is higher in diabetic and hypertensive pregnant women than healthy non pregnant women. The increase in blood lead level may cause a significant increase in lymphocytes apoptosis in pregnant and non pregnant women.