Saba Zakeri - Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
Zohreh Rahimi - Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran & Medical Biology Research Center, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran. And Department of Clinical Bio
Nazanin Jalilian - Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
Asad Vaisi-Raygani - Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
Ali Rezvani - Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Medical School, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.
Zahra Dastafkan - Medical Genetics Laboratory, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran.

Background: Oxidative stress is involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia (PE). Dysregulation of SOD۱ may be involved in the pathogenesis of PE. We examined and compared the methylation level of the promoter region (PMR) of the SOD۱, gene expression, and enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in both placenta and maternal blood in PE women. Methods: A total of ۱۴۰ blood samples and ۴۰ placental tissue samples from PE and healthy pregnant controls were studied. The PMR of the SOD۱ (Methylight PCR method), the expression (Real-time PCR), and its enzyme activity were investigated and compared in two groups. Results: The PMR of the SOD۱ gene in the placental tissue of the patients was significantly increased compared to the control group (P= ۰.۰۰۸); this result was accompanied by a decrease in the expression of the gene and a decrease in the activity of the SOD enzyme. Meanwhile, the PMR of the SOD۱ gene did not significantly change in the blood samples of the patients (P= ۰.۹۵), while a significant decrease in the expression of SOD۱ (without a significant change in the SOD activity) was observed. Conclusions: The results showed significant changes in the PMR of the SOD۱ gene and gene expression in placenta tissue. The results highlight the role of the placenta in complications during pregnancy and also revealed epigenetics as an important regulatory pathway in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia, SOD۱, Methylation, Gene expression, Oxidative stress.