The role of L-arginine in the prevention and treatment of pre-eclampsia: a systematic review of randomised trials.
J Hum Hypertens
; 28(4): 230-5, 2014 Apr.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-24172291
ABSTRACT
Pre-eclampsia is a significant health issue in pregnancy, complicating between 2-8% of pregnancies. L-arginine is an important mediator of vasodilation with a potential preventative role in pregnancy related hypertensive diseases. We aimed to systematically review randomised trials in the literature assessing the role of L-arginine in prevention and treatment of pre-eclampsia. We searched the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, PUBMED, and the Australian and International Clinical Trials Registry, to identify randomised trials involving pregnant women where L-arginine was administered for pre-eclampsia to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. We identified eight randomised trials, seven of which were included. The methodological quality was fair, with a combined sample size of 884 women. For women at risk of pre-eclampsia, L-arginine was associated with a reduction in pre-eclampsia (RR 0.34, 95% CI 0.21-0.55), when compared with placebo and a reduction in risk of preterm birth (RR 0.48 and 95% CI 0.28 to 0.81). For women with established hypertensive disease, L-arginine was associated with a reduction in pre-eclampsia (RR 0.21; 95% CI 0.05-0.98). L-arginine may have a role in the prevention and/or treatment of pre-eclampsia. Further well-designed and adequately powered trials are warranted, both in women at risk of pre-eclampsia and in women with established disease.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Health context:
1_ASSA2030
/
2_ODS3
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Arginine
/
Pre-Eclampsia
/
Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
/
Etiology_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Systematic_reviews
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Middle aged
/
Pregnancy
Language:
En
Journal:
J Hum Hypertens
Year:
2014
Document type:
Article