Effect of Antioxidants on the
Occurrence of Pre-Eclampsia
in Women at Increased Risk:
A Randomised Trial

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:    Frankp@chiro.org

FROM:   Lancet 1999 (Sep 4);   354 (9181):   810–816

Chappell LC, Seed PT, Briley AL, Kelly FJ, Lee R, Hunt BJ,
Parmar K, Bewley SJ, Shennan AH, Steer PJ, Poston L

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology,
Guy's, King's, and St Thomas' School of Medicine,
St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK

---

BACKGROUND:   Oxidative stress has been implicated in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia. This randomised controlled trial investigated the effect of supplementation with vitamins C and E in women at increased risk of the disorder on plasma markers of vascular endothelial activation and placental insufficiency and the occurrence of pre-eclampsia.

METHODS:   283 women were identified as being at increased risk of pre-eclampsia by abnormal two-stage uterine-artery doppler analysis or a previous history of the disorder and were randomly assigned vitamin C (1000 mg/day) and vitamin E (400 IU/day) or placebo at 16-22 weeks' gestation. Plasma markers of endothelial activation (plasminogen-activator inhibitor 1 [PAI-1]) and placental dysfunction (PAI-2) were measured every month until delivery. Pre-eclampsia was assessed by the development of proteinuric hypertension. Analyses were done by intention to treat, and in the cohort who completed the study.

FINDINGS:   Supplementation with vitamins C and E was associated with a 21% decrease in the PAI-1/PAI-2 ratio during gestation (95% CI 4-35, p=0.015). In the intention-to-treat cohort, pre-eclampsia occurred in 24 (17%) of 142 women in the placebo group and 11 (8%) of 141 in the vitamin group (adjusted odds ratio 0.39 [0.17-0.90], p=0.02). In the cohort who completed the study (81 placebo group, 79 vitamin group), the odds ratio for pre-eclampsia was 0.24 (0.08-0.70, p=0.002).

INTERPRETATION:   Supplementation with vitamins C and E may be beneficial in the prevention of pre-eclampsia in women at increased risk of the disease. Multicentre trials are needed to show whether vitamin supplementation affects the occurrence of pre-eclampsia in low-risk women and to confirm our results in larger groups of high-risk women from different populations.

Return to the VITAMIN C Page

Return to the ANTIOXIDANTS Page

Return to the NUTRITION ARCHIVES Page

Since 11-01-1999