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Increased L-Citrulline/ L-Arginine Plasma Ratio in Severe Preeclampsia

From the Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Turin, Turin, and the Department of Gynaecology, Obstetrics and Pediatrics Sciences, University of Modena, Modena and Reggio Emilia, Italy.

Address reprint requests to: Chiara Benedetto, MD, PhD Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology University of Turin Via Baiardi 43 Turin 10126 Italy E-mail: chbened{at}tin.it

Objective: To evaluate nitric oxide (NO) production in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension or preeclampsia and in controls.

Methods: Four groups of pregnant women were included: 17 patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension, ten with mild or moderate preeclampsia, 17 with severe preeclampsia, and 44 normotensive women matched for weeks of gestation at blood sampling with the cases. Plasma levels of L-citrulline and L-arginine were measured by using high-performance liquid chromatography.

Results: The mean plasma levels of L-citrulline and the ratio of L-citrulline to L-arginine, which reflects NO production, were higher in women with severe preeclampsia than in controls, patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension, and patients with mild or moderate preeclampsia.

Conclusion: Nitric oxide production is enhanced in severe preeclampsia, possibly as a compensatory phenomenon for the increased synthesis and release of vasoconstrictors and platelet-aggregating agents.

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