Introduction: Activin A is a glycoprotein hormone produced by many tissues. During
normal pregnancy the fetoplacental unit is the main source of activin A with the
placenta producing the majority of secreted activin A. Oxidative stress may be the
underlying mechanism for increased placental activin A production in preeclampsia.
Aim of Work: To evaluate the levels of activin A and malondialdehyde (MDA) in
pregnancy hypertensive states and to explore whether circulating levels of activin A
are correlated to MDA levels (marker of oxidative stress). Subjects and Methods:
The study included 75 pregnant women divided into three groups: 25 pregnant
women with normal blood pressure (group1 as control), 25 pregnant women with
pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) (groupII) and 25 pregnant women with
preeclampsia (groupIII). Serm levels of activin A and malondialdehyde (MDA) were
measured by ELISA and by colorimetric methods respectively. Results: Serum levels
of activin A and malondialdehyde were higher in patients with preeclampsia than in
patients with pregnancy induced hypertension and that of control group. There was a
highly significant correlation between serum levels of activin A and each of
malondialdehyde and blood pressure in preeclampsia group and PIH group.
Conclusion: Serum levels of activin A might be used as a marker that reflects the
severity of pregnancy hypertensive states. Oxidative stress might be the mechanism of
increased secretion of activin A.