Abstract:
Objective To assess the influence of oxidative stress on the gene expression of nitric
oxide synthases (NOS 3 and NOS 2) and, hence, the cardiovascular responses in
preeclampsia.
Methods This was a case control study in which patients with preeclampsia (PE
group) and normal pregnancy controls (NP group) were included according to the
guidelines of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). The
serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity, and nitric oxide
(NO) were estimated, and the heart rate and mean arterial pressure were recorded. The
gene profiling of NOS3 and NOS2 was performed through real-time polymerase chain
reaction (RT-PCR). The statistical analysis was performed using the Student t-test, and
values of p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results The serum levels of malondialdehyde were increased (p < 0.0001), and the
total antioxidant capacity was reduced in the PE group (p ¼ 0.034), indicating oxidative
stress. In the PE group, the mean arterial pressure was significantly higher (p < 0.0001),
but the serum levels of NO did not show a statistically significant reduction (p ¼ 0.20).
The gene expression profiling of NOS3 and NOS2 revealed a down regulation in the PE
group by 8.49 and 51.05 times respectively.
Conclusion Oxidative stress may lead to endothelial dysfunction, which could result
in increased mean arterial pressure. Nitric oxide may play a role in this mechanism,
