Vitamin C and E supplementation in women at risk of preeclampsia is associated with changes in indices of oxidative stress and placental function.
OBJECTIVE
We have previously reported a reduced incidence of preeclampsia in women who were at risk and were taking vitamin C (1000 mg/d) and vitamin E (400 IU/d) supplements. In this study, we determined whether supplementation in the same cohort was associated with an improvement in indices of placental dysfunction and oxidative stress toward values determined in women who were at low risk of preeclampsia.


METHODS
Seventy-nine women who were at high risk and who were taking vitamin supplements and 81 who were taking placebos were compared with 32 women who were at low risk and who were not taking supplements who were studied simultaneously.


RESULTS
Indices of oxidative stress and placental function were abnormal in the placebo group. When the placebo group was compared with the women who were at low risk, ascorbic acid, plasminogen activator inhibitor-2, and placenta growth factor concentrations were decreased; and 8-epi-prostaglandin F(2alpha),leptin, and the plasminogen activator inhibitor-1/-2 ratio were increased. In the group that received vitamin supplements, ascorbic acid, 8-epi-prostaglandin F(2alpha), leptin, and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1/-2 values were similar to women who were at low risk.


CONCLUSIONS
Antioxidant supplementation in women who were at risk of preeclampsia was associated with improvement in biochemical indices of the disease.
Chappell
Lucy C
LC
Maternal and Fetal Research Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Centre for Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine, Guy's King's and St Thomas' School of Medicine, King's College, London, UK.
Seed
Paul T
PT
Kelly
Frank J
FJ
Briley
Annette
A
Hunt
Beverley J
BJ
Charnock-Jones
D Stephen
DS
Mallet
Anthony
A
Poston
Lucilla
L
D000328:Adult; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004717:Endometrium / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020738:Leptin / Q000097:blood; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D010920:Placenta / Q000502:physiology; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D010927:Placental Insufficiency / Q000150:complications*; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 / Q000032:analysis; D017396:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 2 / Q000032:analysis; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins / Q000097:blood; D012306:Risk; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D020738:Leptin; C000608036:PGF protein, human; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; D017396:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 2; D011257:Pregnancy Proteins; D014810:Vitamin E; D000072483:Placenta Growth Factor; D001205:Ascorbic Acid