Oral antioxidant therapy for prevention and treatment of preeclampsia: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

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#administration-oral #adolescent #adult #antihypertensive-agents #antioxidants

Oral antioxidant therapy for prevention and treatment of preeclampsia: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Tenório et al., 2018 | Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis | Meta Analysis

Citation

Tenório M B, Ferreira R C, ... Oliveira A C M. Oral antioxidant therapy for prevention and treatment of preeclampsia: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2018-Sep;28(9):865-876. doi:10.1016/j.numecd.2018.06.002

Abstract

AIMS: To determine whether oral antioxidant therapies, of various types and doses, are able to prevent or treat women with preeclampsia. DATA SYNTHESIS: The following databases were searched: MEDLINE, CENTRAL, LILACS, and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria were: a) randomized clinical trials; b) oral antioxidant supplementation; c) study in pregnant women; d) control group, treated or not with placebo. Papers were excluded if they evaluated antioxidant nutrient supplementation associated with other non-antioxidant therapies. Data were extracted and the risk of bias of each study was assessed. Heterogeneity was analyzed using the Cochran Q test, and I2 statistics and pre-specified sensitivity analyses were performed. Meta-analyses were conducted on prevention and treatment studies, separately. The primary outcome was the incidence of preeclampsia in prevention trials, and of perinatal death in treatment trials. Twenty-nine studies were included in the analysis, 19 for prevention and 10 for treatment. The antioxidants used in these studies were vitamins C and E, selenium, l-arginine, allicin, lycopene and coenzyme Q10, none of which showed beneficial effects on the prevention of preeclampsia (RR: 0.89, CI 95%: [0.79-1.02], P = 0.09; I2 = 39%, P = 0.04) and other outcomes. The antioxidants used in the treatment studies were vitamins C and E, N-acetylcysteine, l-arginine, and resveratrol. A beneficial effect was found in intrauterine growth restriction. CONCLUSIONS: Antioxidant therapy had no effects in the prevention of preeclampsia but did show beneficial effects in intrauterine growth restriction, when used in the treatment of this condition.

Key Findings

Antioxidant therapy had no effects in the prevention of preeclampsia but did show beneficial effects in intrauterine growth restriction, when used in the treatment of this condition.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population pregnant women
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Administration, Oral
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Antihypertensive Agents
  • Antioxidants
  • Blood Pressure
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Female
  • Fetal Growth Retardation
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Pre-Eclampsia
  • Pregnancy
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Risk Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: selenium

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09