NEJM 4/27 – Although the precise mechanism for the start of pre-eclampsia is unclear, it has been proposed that oxidative stress is involved in creating the cellular and tissue dysfunction that underlie the syndrome. So naturally, a pilot study of antioxidants to reduce the risk of pre-eclampsia was done by Campbell, et al in 1999. That study showed promising results for the therapy, but futher research contradicted their findings.
Rumbold et al, present a multicenter RCT of nearly 2000 women on the effects of vitamin C and E supplementation in the latest New England. And, just as in most other studies of antioxidants, the supplementation showed no benefits. There was no significant difference in the risk of pre-eclampsia nor in the serious outcomes for the neonate.
What will the next proposted target for the antioxidant strategy be? We shall see..