Role of natural antioxidant after exercise in reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) levels during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyse the effect of a supplementary treatment with natural antioxidants after exercise on the MDA levels in women during the third trimester of pregnancy.

METHODS

This experimental study from August to October 2016 at several midwife practices and community health centres (puskesmas) in Palembang, Indonesia included 24 prenatal pregnant women separated to 3 groups (n = 8); a control group, a positive control group that undertook an exercise programme, and a treatment group that underwent exercise programme and took natural antioxidants after the exercise. Guava juice containing vitamin C was used as antioxidant treatment. The MDA levels were analysed by spectrophotometry.

RESULTS

The MDA levels were significantly different among the groups (p < 0.001). The LSD test confirmed a difference between serum MDA levels in the control, exercise and exercise + antioxidant groups (2.89 ± 0.53, 2.11 ± 0.31 and 1.47 ± 0.23 nmol/mL, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The MDA levels were significantly decreased after combined treatment with natural antioxidants and exercise in the third trimester of pregnancy.