Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Hypertension is the most common medical problem encountered during pregnancy. Pregnancy Induced Hypertension (PIH) is also called a disease of maternal endothelium. Nitric-oxide being a potent vasodilator released by endothelial cells, its role has been implicated in PIH. AIM: To study the role of reactive nitrogen species in PIH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One hundred and twenty samples were selected for the study. Of these, 60 patients had PIH (case) and the rest without PIH (control). Estimation of serum nitric- oxide, serum nitrothiol, serum total thiol was done. RESULTS: The study showed decreased NOx (Mono nitrogen oxide No and No(2)) levels in PIH as compared to control (p< 0.001). PIH patients had significantly higher levels of S-nitrothiols than control (p<0.01). Thiol levels were decreased in PIH as compared to control (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Thus, it is concluded from this study that nitrosative stress represents a point of convergence for several contributing factors potentially leading to the clinical manifestations of pregnancy induced hypertension. The antioxidants are used up while scavenging the free radicals.