PREECLAMPSIA AND ANTIOXIDANT NUTRIENTS - DECREASED PLASMA-LEVELS OF REDUCED ASCORBIC-ACID, ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL, AND BETA-CAROTENE IN WOMEN WITH PREECLAMPSIA

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate the plasma levels of three p otent antioxidant nutrients in women with preeclampsia. STUDY DESIGN: Pasting venous blood samples were collected from 30 women with preecla mpsia and from 44 women with uncomplicated pregnancies. The criteria f or recruitment included age 15 to 35 years, gestational age 28 to 42 w eeks, singleton pregnancy, intact membranes, absence of labor contract ions, and absence of any other medical complication concurrent with pr eeclampsia. Reduced ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, and beta-carotene levels were assayed with high-pressure liquid chromatography. RESULTS : Plasma levels of reduced ascorbic acid were significantly decreased in patients with mild and severe preeclampsia (p < 0.01). Plasma alpha -tocopherol and beta-carotene levels were significantly decreased only in severe preeclampsia compared with controls (p < 0.05 and p < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSION: In patients with preeclampsia antioxidant nutrients may be utilized to a greater extent to counteract free radic al-mediated cell disturbances, resulting in a reduction in antioxidant plasma levels. Waiter-soluble antioxidant nutrients may initially be consumed, followed by lipid-soluble antioxidants.