子痫前期（PE）是引起孕产妇、围产儿发病和死亡的主要产科疾病，但一直无有效的防治手段。鉴于氧化应激和损伤在PE发生发展的核心作用，而金属硫蛋白（MT）是迄今所知体内最有效的抗氧化物，我们以往的工作也提示MT具有对氧化应激的保护作用。因此在本项目中我们将在模型动物中明确锌诱导MT对PE的保护作用，并对PE高风险人群给予锌干预PE的发病，通过观察孕早、晚期PE血和/或胎盘组织MT及其抗体、MT基因异构体(亚型)表达水平与氧化活性物（ROS和RNS）、氧化损伤标志物（MDA和3-NT）、其他抗氧化物（GSH）含量以及PE发展过程中氧化损伤所致血管生成障碍和异常细胞凋亡的关系，同时检测PE中MT基因多态性和甲基化水平并追踪PE病程和出生结局，探讨MT在PE中抗氧化损伤效应及其机制，为寻找PE早期预警的生物和遗传标志、PE防治的潜在靶标和措施提供科学依据。

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a leading cause of maternal, perinatal mortality and morbidity worldwide, but there have not been effective means of prevention and treatment. In view of the pivot role of oxidative stress and damage in the onset and development of PE and that metallothionein (MT) is the most effective antioxidant known to present, our previous work also suggests that MT presents a protective effect on oxidative stress. Therefore, in this study, we will investigate the protective effect of zinc-induced MT expression on oxidative stress and damage in an animal model of PE. Base on the investigation, we will give zinc supplementation to induce MT expression among subjects with high-risk of PE. The levels of MT and anti-MT antibody and MT isoform (subtype) expression are measured in blood and/or placental tissues collected from the early and late phases of PE patients. The effects of MT on reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species, oxidative damage (MDA and 3-NT), other antioxidants (GSH) and the vascular growth unbalance and abnormal apoptosis caused by oxidative damage during PE development are observed. In addition, we analyze the single nucleotide polymorphisms and methylation levels in MT genes of PE and follow-up for PE course and birth outcome in order to determine the role of MT as an anti-oxidant in PE. Our work will provide scientific basis for the development of biological and genetic markers for the early warning of PE and potential targets for PE prevention and treatment.