Related Experiment Videos
Oxidant stress in pre-eclampsia and essential hypertension
Background:
Endothelial cell dysfunction may play a role in the pathobiology of pre-eclampsia and human essential hypertension. Vasodilators and platelet anti-aggregators such as prostacyclin and nitric oxide are produced by endothelial cells. The half-life of prostacyclin and nitric oxide are reduced by superoxide anion, whereas superoxide dismutase antagonizes its action.
Objectives:
To estimate the plasma concentrations of nitric oxide and lipid peroxides and those of catalase and superoxide dismutase in patients with pre-eclampsia and essential hypertension.
Methods:
Patients of essential hypertension and pre-eclampsia were selected for the study. Nitric oxide and lipid peroxides were estimated in the plasma and anti-oxidants catalase and superoxide dismutase were estimated in the RBC membranes.
Results:
The ratio between lipid peroxides and nitric oxide was elevated and the activity of superoxide dismutase reduced in patients with pre-eclampsia and uncontrolled essential hypertension.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that oxidants and anti-oxidants are altered in human essential hypertension and pre-eclampsia.