Estimation of Oxidative Products of Nitric Oxide (nitrates, nitrites) in Preeclampsia

Summary: Oxidative products of nitric oxide, serum nitrates and nitrites were estimated in 50 primigravidas with preeclampsia and in 50 gestation and age-matched normotensive primigravidas. Thirty three (66%) of these women had mild preeclampsia and 17 (34%) had severe preeclampsia. Serum nitrate and nitrite levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic women (nitrates—15± 1.17; nitrites—11.82± 1.16μmol/L) than in the normotensive pregnant women (nitrates 11.82± 1.16; nitrites—5.08± 0.47μmol/L, p < 0.001). In preeclamptic women, serum nitrate and nitrite levels correlated with the severity of the disease (mild preeclampsia nitrate—14.46± 1.98; nitrite 6.21± 0.84μmol/L, severe preeclampsia nitrate—16.65± 3.64; Nitrite—6.87± 1.56μmol/L). In preeclampsia there was significant positive correlation between nitrate and nitrite levels and diastolic blood pressure and proteinuria.