Serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities in iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy

Aim: To investigate serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities, and lipid hydroperoxide levels in pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia. Materials and methods: Paraoxonase and arylesterase activities, and lipid hydroperoxide levels were assessed for pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia (n = 50) and controls (n = 70). Serum basal and salt-stimulated paraoxonase, and arylesterase activities were measured spectrophotometrically. The lipid hydroperoxide levels were measured by ferrous ion oxidation xylenol orange assay. In addition, lipid parameters were determined by routine laboratory methods. Results: Basal and salt-stimulated paraoxonase, and arylesterase activities were significantly lower (P = 0.026, P = 0.031, and P = 0.018, respectively) in pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia when compared to the controls, while lipid hydroperoxide levels were significantly higher (P = 0.004). A significant positive correlation was found between paraoxonase activity and hemoglobin levels (r = 0.329, P = 0.020), while there was inverse correlation between lipid hydroperoxide and hemoglobin levels (r = -0.457, P = 0.001). Among iron deficiency anemia, serum paraoxonase activity was inversely correlated with lipid hydroperoxide levels (r = -0.535, P < 0.001). Conclusion: The findings of the present study have shown that diminished serum paraoxonase and arylesterase activities, and increased lipid hydroperoxide levels may play a role in the early pathogenesis of atherosclerotic heart disease in pregnant women with iron deficiency anemia.