Estimation of oxidative products of nitric oxide (nitrates, nitrites) in preeclampsia.

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 +/- 1.16 micromol/L) than in the normotensive pregnant women (nitrates 11.82 +/- 1.16; nitrites - 5.08 +/- 0.47 micromol/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 +/- 0.84 micromol/L, severe preeclampsia nitrate - 16.65 +/- 3.64; Nitrite - 6.87 +/- 1.56 micromol/L). In preeclampsia there was significant positive correlation between nitrate and nitrite levels and diastolic blood pressure and proteinuria.