title: Pregnancy induced hypertension: will treatment with dietary eicosapentaenoic acid be effective?
abstract: The current understanding of endothelial membrane prostaglandin metabolism is presented together with an explanation of how this may be altered in pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). A hypothesis is proposed to explain why dietary supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) may reverse abnormal prostaglandin metabolism, increase membrane fluidity and lower blood pressure in PIH.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg Hospital, Parktown, South Africa.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: England
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Atkinson
authors.forename: E W
authors.initials: EW
authors.lastname: Sonnendecker
mesh_terms: D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D011453:Prostaglandins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D011453:Prostaglandins; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid