Calcium plus linoleic acid therapy for pregnancy-induced hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effect of dietary supplementation of calcium plus conjugated linoleic acid (calcium-CLA) in reducing the incidence of vascular endothelial dysfunction in pregnant women at high risk of developing pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH).


METHODS
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted at 4 outpatient clinics in 2 developing countries recruited 48 healthy primigravidas younger than 19 years or older than 35 years who had a family history of pre-eclampsia and diastolic notch. Twenty-four participants received daily elemental calcium (600 mg) plus CLA (450 mg) and 24 received placebo from week 18 to 22 of pregnancy until delivery.


RESULTS
Calcium-CLA supplementation reduced significantly the incidence of PIH (2 cases [8%] in the study group vs. 10 cases [42%] in the placebo group; relative risk, 0.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.05-0.82; P=.01). Endothelial dysfunction was also significantly reduced after calcium-CLA supplementation (in 18 women [75%] vs. 4 women [17%]; P<.001), compared with the placebo group (in 15 [63%] vs. 9 women [38%]; P=.08).


CONCLUSIONS
In pregnant women at high risk for PIH, calcium-CLA supplementation decreases the incidence of PIH and improves endothelial function.
Herrera
J A
JA
Department of Family Medicine, School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia.
Shahabuddin
A K M
AK
Ersheng
G
G
Wei
Yuan
Y
Garcia
R G
RG
López-Jaramillo
P
P
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019787:Linoleic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects
D019787:Linoleic Acid; D002118:Calcium