Nitric Oxide and Pre-Eclampsia: A Comparative Study in Ghana

Authors

  • Ebenezer Owusu Darkwa School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Ghana, Accra
  • Robert Djagbletey School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Ghana, Accra
  • Raymond Essuman School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Ghana, Accra
  • Daniel Sottie Department of Anaesthesia, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra
  • Gifty Boatemaa Dankwah School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University Of Ghana, Accra
  • George Aryee School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Ghana, Accra

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3889/oamjms.2018.252

Keywords:

Pre-eclampsia, Healthy pregnant women, Nitric oxide, Endothelial function, Griess Reagent

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is one of the commonest aetiologies of foetal and maternal mortality and morbidity. Though common, the aetiology of preeclampsia has remained unknown with several inconclusive theories surrounding the disease. Recent studies have implicated vascular endothelial dysfunction and possibly nitric oxide in preeclampsia.

AIM: To compare plasma nitric oxide levels in pre-eclampsia and healthy pregnant women in a large tertiary hospital in Ghana.

METHODS: This was a case-control study conducted among pre-eclampsia and healthy pregnant women in Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital over a four-month period. Thirty (30) pre-eclamptic and 30 healthy pregnant women aged 18-35 years with over 30 weeks’ gestation were consecutively recruited into the study after obtaining informed consent. Plasma nitric oxide levels were determined using the Griess Reagent system.  Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20.0 and results were compared using the independent t-test. A P-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

RESULTS: The parity and body mass index (BMI) of the participants were similar. There was a significant difference in the blood pressure of the pre-eclamptic compared to healthy pregnant women. There was no statistically significant difference (P-value = 0.160) in the plasma levels of nitric oxide in pre-eclamptic (Mean = 1178.78; SD = 89.70 nM) compared to healthy pregnant women (Mean = 1365.43; SD = 95.46 nM).

CONCLUSION: Plasma nitric oxide levels may not play a significant role in the aetiology of pre-eclampsia.

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Published

2018-06-16

How to Cite

1.
Darkwa EO, Djagbletey R, Essuman R, Sottie D, Dankwah GB, Aryee G. Nitric Oxide and Pre-Eclampsia: A Comparative Study in Ghana. Open Access Maced J Med Sci [Internet]. 2018 Jun. 16 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];6(6):1023-7. Available from: https://oamjms.eu/index.php/mjms/article/view/oamjms.2018.252

Issue

Section

B - Clinical Sciences

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