Deficient detoxifying capacity in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia

An imbalance between oxidative stress and maternal detoxification or antiox idant capacity may explain the symptoms of preeclampsia and the haemolysis- elevated liver enzymes-low platelets (HELLP) syndrome. Oxidative stress is known to induce damage of the endothelium, which is one of the pathophysiol ogical features of preeclampsia and the HELLP syndrome. Administration of N -acetylcysteine, an antioxidant itself and a precursor of the endogenous an tioxidant glutathione, might stabilize or even partly recover the process o f endothelial damage and may lead to prolongation of pregnancy. (C) 2000 Ha rcourt Publishers Ltd.