Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026
12:02
Human Primary Trophoblast Cell Culture Model to Study the Protective Effects of Melatonin Against Hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced Disruption
Published on: July 30, 2016
Antioxidants for preventing preeclampsia: a systematic review
Adriana Magalhaes Ribeiro Salles1, Tais Freire Galvao, Marcus Tolentino Silva
1University of Brasilia, Faculty of Medicine, Asa Norte, 70910-900 Brasilia, DF, Brazil.
Thescientificworldjournal
|May 18, 2012
Summary
Antioxidant supplements do not prevent preeclampsia or other pregnancy complications. This review of randomized controlled trials found no significant benefits for maternal or fetal outcomes, suggesting current evidence does not support their use.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Nutritional Science
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication.
- Antioxidants are proposed to mitigate oxidative stress implicated in preeclampsia.
- Evidence for antioxidant efficacy in preventing preeclampsia remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of antioxidant supplementation in preventing preeclampsia.
- To assess the impact of antioxidants on other maternal and fetal complications.
- To analyze data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in pregnant women at varying risk levels.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs.
- Searched multiple databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, mRCT) without restrictions.
- Included 15 studies with 21,012 women; data analyzed using random effects model.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in preeclampsia incidence (RR=0.92; 95% CI: 0.82-1.04) between antioxidant and placebo groups.
- No significant differences observed for severe preeclampsia, preterm birth, or small for gestational age.
- Antioxidant group showed numerically higher, but not statistically significant, side effects (RR=1.24; 95% CI: 0.85-1.80).
Conclusions:
- Current evidence does not support the routine use of antioxidants during pregnancy for preeclampsia prevention.
- Antioxidants did not demonstrate significant benefits for key maternal or fetal outcomes.
- Further research may be needed to explore specific contexts or antioxidant types, but current data is unsupportive.
Related Concept Videos
01:33Hormonal Regulation
The renin-aldosterone system is an endocrine system which guides the renal absorption of water and electrolytes, thus managing blood pressure and osmoregulation. Activation of the system begins in the kidneys with a small cluster of cells adjacent to the afferent and efferent blood vessels of the renal corpuscle. As the nephrons are filtering blood, juxtaglomerular cells monitor blood pressure. If they detect a decrease in pressure, they release the hormone renin into the bloodstream.
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...