Pre-Eclampsia Breaking News
Pre-eclampsia Overview
Pre-eclampsia is a pregnancy condition involving high blood pressure, also known as toxemia or pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). Although high blood pressure is a common occurrence during pregnancy, 2-7% of cases develop into pre-eclampsia, which in the worst cases can be life-threatening for mother and child, or which can necessitate a Caesarean birth (C-section) or induced early labor. Symptoms of pre-eclampsia include high blood pressure and protein in the urine.
Breaking News
Until recently, there have been no known ways to prevent pre-eclampsia. During late stages of pregnancy, the only cure for pre-eclampsia has been to deliver the baby.
In 2010, after 20 years of research focused primarily on pre-eclampsia, scientists at the University of Cambridge have discovered part of the early mechanisms that are responsible for raising blood pressure during pregnancy. This breakthrough has significant implications not only for the treatment and understanding of pre-eclampsia but for the treatment and perhaps prevention of hypertension (high blood pressure) in general.
Angiotensin-Releasing Mechanism
Until now, researchers have known that blood vessels constrict as the result of the action of hormones called angiotensins, which control blood pressure.
Angiotensins are released by the protein angiotensinogen, however the mechanism causing this action to occur was until recently unknown.
By solving the structure of angiotensinogen (using an extremely intense X-ray beam), researches have now learned that this protein is oxidised and changes shape such that the enzyme renin has easy access to it. Rennin cuts off the tail of angiotensinogen, which then releases the hormone angiotensin, which in turn causes blood pressure to rise. Furthermore, researchers have found that the amount of oxidised angiotensinogen is greater in women with pre-eclampsia.
As explained by the team leader of the 20-year research project, Professor Robin Carrell of the University of Cambridge:
"During pregnancy oxidative changes can occur in the placenta. These changes, the very ones we have found that stimulate the release of the hormone angiotensin and lead to increased blood pressure, can arise as the circulation in the placenta readjusts the oxygen requirements of the growing fetus with the delivery of oxygen to the placenta from the mother."
Pre-eclampsia Treatment
Medications currently used to treat high blood pressure target the later stages of the mechanism that control blood pressure and do not always effectively control the condition. Given the recent scientific breakthrough, researchers now know more about the mysterious early processes involved in regulating blood pressure, providing them with exciting opportunities to research new treatments for both pre-eclampsia and hypertension.
Preventing Hypertension During Pregnancy
In order to prevent and/or treat pre-eclampsia early on, all pregnant women should receive proper prenatal care, including medical checkups (blood tests, blood pressure, urine, and weight checks), eat a nutritious diet (including all food groups, important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants), and follow a healthy lifestyle.
