Hypertriglyceridemia is linked to reduced nitric oxide synthesis in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
BACKGROUND
Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), which affect 8% to 15% of pregnancies, are associated with nitric oxide dysfunction and hyperlipidemia, but their precise role in HDP remains controversial. In order to gain more insight into the mechanisms underlying HDP, we evaluated some indicators common to the diseases associated with endothelial dysfunction.


METHODS
Plasma samples were obtained from 47 normotensive women (control group) and from 27 women with HDP (experimental group). All women were 7 months pregnant. Body mass index as well as triglycerides, nitrite concentrations, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, glucose, and glycated hemoglobin were determined.


RESULTS
Our results showed significant differences in body mass index (30.4 +/- 1.3 vs 28.3 +/- 0.6 kg/m(2), p < 0.05), triglycerides (363 +/- 137 vs. 263 +/- 80 mg/dL, p < 0.01), nitrites (19.6 +/- 5.2 vs. 15.2 +/- 5.0 micromol/L, p < 0.01), and glucose (92 +/- 25 vs. 81 +/- 10.8 mg/dL, p < 0.05) in women from the experimental group compared with the control group. Interestingly, nitric oxide synthesis was significantly reduced when triglycerides and cholesterol concentrations were increased (p < 0.018 and p < 0.002, respectively). Moreover, there was a strong association (odds ratio, 3.5) between a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and the development of HDP, especially preeclampsia.


CONCLUSIONS
It may be useful to screen pregnant women for plasma nitrites and serum triglycerides to identify those at risk of developing HDP, especially in women with a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Mayret-Mesquiti
Mayi
M
Division de Gineco-Obstetricia, Hospital Regional "Lic. Adolfo López Mateos" ISSSTE, México.
Pérez-Méndez
Oscar
O
Rodríguez
Maria Elena
ME
Fortoul
Teresa I
TI
Gorocica
Patrícia
P
Bernal-Alcántara
Demetrio
D
Montaño
Luis Felipe
LF
Alvarado-Vasquez
Noé
N
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000097:blood; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D046110:Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / Q000097:blood*; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000097:blood*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009573:Nitrites / Q000097:blood; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood; D012307:Risk Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D002784:Cholesterol; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D009573:Nitrites; D014280:Triglycerides