Antioxidants Vitamin C And Vitamin E For The Prevention Of Pre-eclampsia - A Randomised Controlled Trial
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$696,750.00
Summary
Women who develop hypertension in pregnancy have a higher risk of complications in pregnancy and their babies are often born smaller than average and earlier. An initial trial to women at high risk of pre-eclampsia suggest that vitamin C and vitmin E supplements may decrease both reduce the risk of developing hypertension in pregnancy and the risk of the infant being born small for dates. These encouraging results need assessment in the Australian population. This study assesses the value of wom ....Women who develop hypertension in pregnancy have a higher risk of complications in pregnancy and their babies are often born smaller than average and earlier. An initial trial to women at high risk of pre-eclampsia suggest that vitamin C and vitmin E supplements may decrease both reduce the risk of developing hypertension in pregnancy and the risk of the infant being born small for dates. These encouraging results need assessment in the Australian population. This study assesses the value of women taking vitamin C and vitamin E supplements during the antenatal period to decrease the risk of developing hypertension during pregnancy and poor fetal growth. Such an easy and inexpensive therapy, if effective, would be an important advance.Read moreRead less
The Role Of Oxygen Sensing In The Regulation Of Trophoblast Invasion
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$404,323.00
Summary
Normal fetal development requires the placenta to successfully invade the mother's uterus so that the baby can be appropriately nourished. It is well known that a failure of normal placental development is associated with two major complications of pregnancy: pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. This study is designed to discover whether placental cells have special oxygen sensing mechanisms that help them home in to areas where there is high oxygen.
The Role Of Sleep And Cardiorespiratory Control In The Pathogenesis Of Pre-eclampsia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$235,095.00
Summary
Pre-eclampsia occurs in 7-10 % of the pregnant population. This makes it one of the most common diseases associated with pregnancy in the Western world. The cause of pre-eclampsia remains elusive, however, recent research suggests that the initiating factor is abnormal implantation of the placenta into the uterus. This in turn leads to poor flow of blood through the placenta (known as placental ischaemia) resulting in release of mediators (including substances known as cytokines) into the matern ....Pre-eclampsia occurs in 7-10 % of the pregnant population. This makes it one of the most common diseases associated with pregnancy in the Western world. The cause of pre-eclampsia remains elusive, however, recent research suggests that the initiating factor is abnormal implantation of the placenta into the uterus. This in turn leads to poor flow of blood through the placenta (known as placental ischaemia) resulting in release of mediators (including substances known as cytokines) into the maternal circulation which cause widespread damage to the endothelium (the protective layer of cells which line all of the blood vessels throughout the circulation). Furthermore, the greater the demand on the placenta, the more of these toxic substances will be released into the maternal circulation. During sleep, a large proportion of pregnant women snore and consequently have partial reduction in the volume of each breath. In women with healthy placental function, this is not a concern. However, we suggest that in women with pre-eclampsia, this results in further disruption to the blood flow through the placenta, which leads to a greater output of toxic substances from the placenta. We have shown that by controlling snoring during pregnancy in women with pre-eclampsia with the use of nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nasal CPAP), we are able to markedly reduce blood pressure over the night. In this project, we would like to investigate changes occurring during sleep in cytokines in the maternal circulation, and in maternal blood pressure both on and off nasal CPAP in order to establish whether a mechanism during sleep is contributing to the disease process of pre-eclampsia. Furthermore, we intend to investigate whether the long term use of nasal CPAP improves the outcome of pre-eclampsia.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms Of Impaired Uterine Vascularisation In Early Pregnancy.
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$570,414.00
Summary
Vascular dysfunction and reduced blood flow to the placenta are underlying causes of pre-eclampsia and hypertension in pregnant women. Our proposal will identify if low circulating levels of the hormone relaxin are causes of abnormal development of the uterine vasculature in early pregnancy. This knowledge will enable us to develop new treatments to improve health outcomes in women at high risk of developing these diseases during their pregnancy.
Understanding Immune Tolerance In Pregnancy To Discover A New Intervention For The Treatment Of Pre-eclampsia
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$492,202.00
Summary
Pre-eclampsia is a common complication of pregnancy. Women who develop pre-eclampsia experience high blood pressure, swelling and lose protein in the urine. There is no treatment for pre-eclampsia other than delivery of the baby. Pre-eclampsia has risks for the mother and the baby. This research will discover whether generalised inflammation in the mother is a cause of pre-eclampsia and will evaluate the role of a novel treatment for its potential to prevent this life threatening condition.