Role of Vitamins C and E in Regulating Antioxidant and Pro-Oxidant Markers in Preeclampsia

WE COMPARED THREE GROUPS OF PREGNANT WOMEN: placebo with normotensive women, group A which included preeclamptics, and group B which comprised preeclamptics who were supplemented their diets with vitamins C and E. MDA increased from 6.22 +/- 2.8 (placebo) to 8.48 +/- 1.2 (A) and 8.02 +/- 1.8 nmol/gHb (B). NO concentrations were enhanced from 19.3 +/- 4.2 (P) to 23.8 +/- 6.4 (A) and 24.1 +/- 5.4 micromol/L (B). GSH contents were decreased from 10.42 +/- 2.81 (P) to 8.02 +/- 2.92 (A) and 9.39 +/- 1.02 micromol/g Hb (B), whereas GSSG concentrations increased from 0.98 +/- 0.28 (P) to 1.24 +/- 0.29 (A) and 1.08 +/- 0.12 micromol/g Hb (B). SOD activity decreased 23% in A and 14% in B; GRx decreased 27% in A and 5.5% in B; GPx decreased 12% in A and 9.6% in B. Catalase activity, however, increased 27% in A and 29% in B as compared to control. Thus, we conclude that the use of vitamins C and E should be considered for the control of certain important biochemical indices during the development of preeclampsia; however, further studies are needed to develop methods for the prevention of preeclampsia in women at high risk.