Estimation of oxidative products of nitric oxide (nitrates, nitrites) in preeclampsia

Oxidative products of nitric oxide, serum nitrates and nitrites were estima ted in 50 primigravidas with preeclampsia and in 50 gestation and age-match ed normotensive primigravidas. Thirty three (66%) of these women had mild p reeclampsia and 17 (34%) had severe preeclampsia. Serum nitrate and nitrite levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic women (nitrates - 15 +/- 1.17; nitrites - 11.82 +/- 1.16 mu mol/L) than in the normotensive pregnant women (nitrates 11.82 +/- 1.16; nitrites - 5.08 +/- 0.47 mu mol/L, p < 0.0 01). In preeclamptic women, serum nitrate and nitrite levels correlated wit h the severity of the disease (mild preeclampsia nitrate 14.46 +/- 1.98; ni trite 6.21 +/- 0.84 mu mol/L, severe preeclampsia nitrate - 16.65 +/- 3.64; Nitrite - 6.87 +/- 1.56 mu mol/L). In preeclampsia there was significant p ositive correlation between nitrate and nitrite levels and diastolic blood pressure and proteinuria.