The antioxidative effect of estradiol therapy on erythrocytes in women with preeclampsia.

In the present study, we evaluated changes of both oxidative stress marker concentrations in erythrocytes and values of blood pressure, as well as their relation during short-term estradiol therapy in preeclampsia. Serum estradiol concentrations were also recorded. The results of this study showed significant decrease of mean arterial pressure (MAP) values during estradiol therapy, whereas there was no significant change in serum estradiol concentrations. Decreased concentrations of superoxide anion (O(2)(-)), hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), nitrite (NO(2)(-)), peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) and lipid peroxide (LPO) were found during estradiol therapy in erythrocytes. No changes were found in the activity of gluthatione-S-transferase (GST). The decrease of MAP values was positively correlated with the reduction of concentrations of O(2)(-), H(2)O(2), NO(2)(-) and ONOO(-) in erythrocytes during estradiol therapy. The obtained results suggest that short-term intramuscular administration of estradiol shows antioxidative effects in erythrocytes and reduces blood pressure in preeclampsia. Copyright 2009 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.