Role of certain saturated fatty acids in the development of oxidative stress in pregnant women with COVID-19

Introduction. As evidence on the pathogenesis of COVID-19 in pregnancy accumulates, researchers increasingly focus on the destabilization of various metabolic pathways, including lipid profile disturbances and the initiation of oxidative stress.

Aim. To comparatively analyze plasma concentrations of palmitic and stearic saturated fatty acids (SFAs) and assess their role in the development of oxidative stress in pregnant women with moderate COVID-19 during the second trimester.

Materials and methods. A case–control study included 39 women in the second trimester with confirmed moderate COVID-19 (main group) and 40 pregnant women with no history of or current SARS-CoV-2 infection (control group). The concentrations of primary (dienic conjugates) and end products (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances, TBARS) of lipid peroxidation were studied in peripheral blood plasma using spectrophotometric methods. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to determine 8-isoprostane levels and total antioxidant capacity (TAC). Quantitative analysis of SFAs was performed by gas chromatography.

Results. The main group showed statistically significant increases in palmitic acid (1.33-fold; p < 0.001) and stearic acid (1.34-fold; p < 0.001), alongside intensified lipid peroxidation: elevated diene conjugates (1.9-fold; p < 0.001), TBARS (2-fold; p < 0.001), and 8-isoprostane (>2-fold; p < 0.001), coupled with a 1.62-fold reduction in plasma TAC (p < 0.001). Strong positive correlations were found between palmitic and stearic acid levels and both TBARS (rs = 0.72 and rs = 0.68, respectively; p < 0.001) and 8- isoprostane (rs = 0.74 and rs = 0.72, respectively; p < 0.001). Statistically significant inverse correlations were also observed between these SFAs and TAC (rs = –0.70 and rs = –0.67, respectively; p < 0.001).

Conclusion. Moderate COVID-19 during the second trimester of pregnancy is associated with a significant elevation in plasma palmitic and stearic acid concentrations. The identified correlations suggest that SFA imbalance and pro-oxidant burden form a unified pathogenetic cascade in moderate COVID-19 during mid-gestation.

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