N-acetylcysteine restores nitric oxide-mediated effects in the fetoplacentat circulation of preeclamptic patients

T M Bisseling, E M Roes, M T M Raijmakers, E A P Steegers, W H M Peters, P Smits

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: Preeclampsia is associated with an imbalance between oxidants and antioxidants, resulting in reduced effects of the endothelium-derived, relaxing-factor nitric oxide (NO). Antioxidants, like N-acetylcysteine (NAC), remove reactive oxygen species, resulting in an improvement of endothelial function. We aimed to investigate the effect of NAC on the NO-pathway in the human fetoplacental circulation in preeclampsia and control pregnancies. Study design: The NO-pathway was investigated by use of the NO-synthase inhibitor L-NAME in an ex vivo cotyledon perfusion model. Results: At baseline, fetoplacental arterial pressure was comparable in preeclamptic pregnancies (n = 8) and control pregnancies (n = 8), and increased dose-dependently after L-NAME. The maximal L-NAME-induced rise in fetoplacental arterial pressure was attenuated in preeclamptic versus control pregnancies (20.8 +/- 2.0 mm Hg vs 36.7 +/- 3.5 mm Hg, P <.05). Addition of NAC increased the L-NAME-induced rise in fetoplacental arterial pressure to 36.4 +/- 3.4 mm Hg in preeclampsia pregnancies (P <.05) and to 49.2 +/- 2.6 mm Hg in control pregnancies (P <.05). Conclusion: Preeclampsia is associated with a dysfunction of the NO-pathway. N-acetylcysteine increases NO-mediated effects in the fetoplacental circulation in preeclamptic placentas as well as in healthy control placentas. (C) 2004 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)328 - 333
Number of pages6
JournalAmerican Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Volume191
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2004

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