Role of Sex Hormones in Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a form of high blood pressure manifested during pregnancy, it is a common major complication causing significant morbidity and mortality; however, its etiology is unknown. The systemic vasculature is a target tissue for sex steroid hormones. Estrogen, androgen, and progesterone all influence the function and pathophysiology of the systemic circulation by influencing endothelial derived nitric-oxide pathway. Evidence suggests that sex steroids also modulate electrolyte homeostasis, but data on cation pattern during pregnancy are conflicting. Moreover, the status of ionized calcium and magnesium during pregnancy and its complication preeclampsia, and its relation with endothelial derived nitric-oxide and sex hormones have not been described adequately. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the pattern of sex steroids, minerals and electrolytes during preeclampsia with respect to normal pregnancy, and the correlation of the above parameters with nitric-oxide pathway. This study shows thatpreeclamptics (in different gestational age groups) experience vasospasm, hyperandrogenemia, altered electrolytes and mineral status, with no difference in sex steroids.