Year: 2007
Type: conference-abstract
Abstract: NO is a potent vasodilator and antiplatelet agent in the human cardiovascular system. Strong evidence for the role of NO deficiency in pathogenesis of gestational hypertensive disorders as well fetal growth restriction resulted in attempts to use exogenous form of this molecule in treatment of above-mentioned pregnancy complications. 202 women (mean age 27.96 ± 5.35 years) with pregnancies complicated by PIH and IUGR were randomly assigned to one of the following groups: 124 patients of study group, and 78 patients of control (placebo) group. Parallel to the standard antihypertensive therapy, patients from study group were administered orally 3g of L-arginine daily in three divided doses, whereas controls received placebo tablets. Fetal biometry, as well as Doppler blood flow velocimetry in uterine, umbilical and middle cerebral arteries was performed before, on the 1st day of therapy, in one week, and every two weeks until delivery. Result of measurements before treatment as well as the latest result before delivery were taken into considerations and compared. After oral L-arginine supplementation, in the study group there was a reduced incidence of abnormal umbilical artery blood flow (5.36% vs. 24.24% in placebo group, P = 0.016) and uterine artery early—diastolic notching (for right uterine artery: 19.64% vs. 47.06% in placebo group, P = 0.008; for left uterine artery: 19.64% vs. 41.18% in placebo group, P = 0.03), whereas no alterations in middle cerebral blood flow and uterine artery PI were observed. Oral administration of L-arginine seems to be beneficial for fetoplacental circulation, but further studies are necessary to establish the influence of L-arginine on uterine artery blood flow. The fragmentary effect of L-arginine administration on uterine artery blood flow can be result of a too small dose of this substance used in study protocol.
DOI: 10.1002/uog.5004
Authors: M. Ropacka, P. Szymanski, J. Kowalska, W. Markwitz, G. H. Breborowicz
Institution: Poznan University of Medical Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Obstetrics and Gynecology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2000460500