Plasma nitric oxide metabolites and lipid peroxide levels in preeclamptic pregnant women before and after delivery

It has been suggested that oxidative stress may cause endothelial dysfuncti on and that endothelial dysfunction may lead to hypertension by reduced rel ease of vasodilating agents such as nitric oxide (NO). In this study, we in vestigated the relationship between serum NO and lipid peroxides in preecla mptic and normal pregnant women before and after delivery. Plasma from wome n with preeclampsia had significantly lower nitrate/nitrite concentrations and significantly higher lipid peroxide levels than normal pregnant women b efore the delivery. Lipid peroxide levels were significantly elevated in pr eeclamptic placenta. After delivery in the preeclamptic group the plasma co ncentration of nitrate/nitrite was increased and plasma thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels decreased, while these parameters remained uncha nged in the normal pregnants women. These results indicate that high levels of lipid peroxides in the circulation may be the cause of lowered NO synth esis and hypertension observed in preeclamptic women. Copyright (C) 1999 S. Karger AG, Basel.