Effect of Magnesium Sulphate on Hepatic Biomarkers in Pre-eclamptic Patients in Selected Tertiary Hospitals in Osun State South Western Nigeria

Aims: This study investigated the effect of magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) on hepatic biomarkers in the management of pre-eclampsia in Osun State, Nigeria. This was with a view to providing scientific support for the use of MgSO4 in the management of pre-eclampsia, and also to investigate likely adverse effects of MgSO4 on the biological functions of the liver.

Study Design: One-factor, two controls - six test groups quasi - experimental design.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Biochemistry, Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria, between November 2013 and July 2014.

Methodology: A total of two hundred and sixty (260) consenting subjects were recruited for the study, and were grouped into normotensive pregnant women at 2nd and 3rd trimesters (n=20/trimester), pre-eclamptic women not on MgSO4 at 2nd and 3rd trimesters (n=10/trimester) and pre-eclamptic women on MgSO4 at 2nd and 3rd trimesters (n=60/trimester). Also normotensive pregnant women at post-partum (n=20) and pre-eclamptic women on MgSO4 at post-partum (n=60). Blood samples (5 mL venous blood) were collected, centrifuged and stored as plasma before subjection to biochemical analysis. Blood plasma was analyzed for hepatic biomarker using standard Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Spectrophotometric methods.

Results: The results showed no significant difference in hepatic biomarkers of pre-eclamptic women on MgSO4 when compared with pre-eclamptic women not on MgSO4 at both second and third trimesters. The results however showed that, comparing the hepatic biomarkers between normotensive pregnant women at post-partum and pre-eclamptic pregnant women on MgSO4 also at post-partum, gave almost the same pattern with comparison between normotensive and pre-eclamptic women not on MgSO4, but for albumin in which there was no significant difference in the mean plasma level.

Conclusion: The results obtained from this work revealed that MgSO4 is devoid of any adverse effects on liver functions of pre-eclamptic women. This study further support its existing use as an anti-convulsant in the management of pre-eclampsia.