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Antioxidants in Pregnancy: Do We Really Need More Trials?
Carolina Di Fabrizio1,2, Veronica Giorgione1, Asma Khalil1,3
1Vascular Biology Research Center, Molecular and Clinical Sciences Research Institute, St George's University of London, London SW17 0QT, UK.
Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)
|May 28, 2022
Summary
Oxidative stress is a key factor in pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes and preeclampsia. Early detection markers exist, but antioxidant therapies have shown disappointing results in clinical trials.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Pregnancy complications, including gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertensive disorders, pose significant global health risks, contributing to maternal mortality and morbidity.
- Key maternal risk factors such as obesity, advanced age, cardiovascular dysfunction, and endothelial damage are closely linked to oxidative stress.
- Oxidative stress markers can indicate conditions like preeclampsia, foetal growth restriction, and gestational diabetes mellitus before clinical symptoms manifest.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the latest evidence on the role of oxidative stress in pregnancy complications.
- To explore advancements in the early diagnosis of these pathologies.
- To assess the efficacy of potential therapies for preventing or treating oxidative stress-related pregnancy conditions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of recent studies on oxidative stress in pregnancy.
- Analysis of diagnostic markers for early detection of pregnancy complications.
- Evaluation of clinical trial data for antioxidant therapies.
Main Results:
- Oxidative stress is implicated in major pregnancy pathologies, with measurable markers preceding clinical diagnosis.
- Despite promising early research, large-scale randomized clinical trials of antioxidant supplements have failed to demonstrate significant positive effects.
- The review highlights the need for further investigation into effective therapeutic strategies.
Conclusions:
- Oxidative stress is a critical factor in various pregnancy complications, offering potential for early diagnostic markers.
- Current antioxidant supplement therapies have not proven effective in large trials, necessitating a re-evaluation of treatment approaches.
- Future research should focus on novel and targeted therapies to mitigate the impact of oxidative stress on maternal and foetal health.
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