Altered thiol status in preeclampsia

Thirty preeclamptic, 30 normotensive pregnant and 25 healthy nonpregnant wo men were analyzed with regard to the antioxidant system (thiols and superox ide dismutase, SOD), In preeclampsia both plasma and lysate thiol levels we re significantly lower compared to controls (p < 0.001), SOD levels were hi gher in normotensive pregnant women, but were lower in preeclamptic compare d to nonpregnant women. This finding of antioxidant changes in the red bloo d cell suggests that red cell dysfunction is fundamental in the development of preeclampsia, and similar alterations in the balance of the thiol could be present across the endothelial cell membrane, Copyright (C) 2000 S. Kar ger AG, Basel.