The Role of Free Radicals and Antioxidant in Abortion

Aloysius Suryawan (Obstetric and Gynecology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Maranatha Christian University Jl. Prof. Drg. Suria Sumantri No.65, Bandung)
Theresia Monica Rahardjo (Anesthesia and Intensive Care Department, Faculty of Medicine, Maranatha Christian University Jl. Prof. Drg. Suria Sumantri No.65, Bandung)

The Indonesian Biomedical Journal
Vol 5, No 1 (2013)

BACKGROUND: Free radicals and antioxidant exist in balance under normal condition. In prooxidant condition, excessive free radicals can initiate a state of oxidative stress (OS) followed by capillary endothelial cell damage, a process involved in the pathophysiology of abortion.CONTENT: Abortion is a common complication of pregnancy and occurs in 25% of women. Many factors can cause abortion including fetal factor, implantation process and hormonal status. Combination those factors with OS influence the entire reproductive life of a woman. Antioxidant can neutralize free radicals and used to reduce OS especially in recurrent abortion.SUMMARY: Antioxidant therapy is a very interesting field in abortion especially used as prevention approach mainly caused by the high cost of infertility treatment methods.KEYWORDS: free radical, antioxidant, abortion