Serum nitrate and NOx levels in preeclampsia are higher than in normal pregnancy.

<bold>Objectives: </bold>To compare nitric oxide (NO) serum levels in women with and without preeclampsia.<bold>Methods: </bold>106 women were classified into preeclampsia group (n = 40) and normotensive group (n = 66). NO content was measured in the serum. Clinical and laboratorial data were recorded for comparison.<bold>Results: </bold>Preeclampsia presented a significant increase in nitrate and NOx levels compared to the control group. Uric acid, gestational age, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and creatinine showed correlation with nitrates and NOx.<bold>Conclusion: </bold>Increase of NO was observed in preeclampsia women. Failure in the mechanism of action, dependent on cyclic GMP, may justify this finding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]