Causal effects of dietary antioxidant vitamin intake and oxidative stress on the risk of pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension: a mendelian randomization study.

Background: Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the progression of pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension. The body's own antioxidant system (including GST, CAT, GPX, SOD) and dietary intake of antioxidants such as vitamin A (retinol), carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E have been proven to counter oxidative stress-related damage. However, no comprehensive studies have explored the correlation between these factors and the risk of pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension. [5] [5] Methods: Instrumental variables (IVs) for the four mentioned antioxidants were obtained from the largest GWAS dataset based on UK Biobank data, followed by a two-sample Mendelian randomization study. IVs, F-statistics, Cochran’s Q tests, and sensitivity analysis were used to examine the causal relationship between dietary antioxidant vitamin intake, oxidative stress, and pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension. Cochran’s Q statistics were used to quantify the heterogeneity of the instrumental variable estimates. [7] [7] Results: The IVW method indicated an approximate 5.0% decreased risk of gestational hypertension per standard deviation (SD) increase in SOD (OR = 0.95; 95% CI 0.90-1.00, p = 0.048). For other oxidative stress biomarkers and antioxidant vitamins, no significant causal effects on gestational hypertension were observed (Retinol: 0.79 (0.56–1.11), p = 0.18; Carotene: 1.03 (0.78–1.36), p = 0.81; Vitamin C: 0.79 (0.57–1.10), p = 0.16; Vitamin E: 1.16 (0.86–1.56), p = 0.32; GST: 1.00 (0.96–1.05), p = 0.93; CAT: 1.00 (0.96–1.05), p = 0.88; GPX: 1.01 (0.96–1.06), p = 0.74). Similar results were found for pre-eclampsia. [9] [9] Conclusion: This study suggests that SOD is closely related to the progression of pre-eclampsia and gestational hypertension. However, vitamin supplements A, C, E, and carotenoids did not show significant improvement in gestational hypertension or pre-eclampsia. [11] [11]