Calcium plus linoleic acid therapy for pregnancy-induced hypertension

Abstract 

Objective: To determine the effect of dietary supplementation of calcium plus conjugated linoleic acid (calcium–CLA) in reducing the incidence of vascular endothelial dysfunction in pregnant women at high risk of developing pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). Patients and methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted at 4 outpatient clinics in 2 developing countries recruited 48 healthy primigravidas younger than 19 years or older than 35 years who had a family history of pre-eclampsia and diastolic notch. Twenty-four participants received daily elemental calcium (600 mg) plus CLA (450 mg) and 24 received placebo from week 18 to 22 of pregnancy until delivery. Results: Calcium–CLA supplementation reduced significantly the incidence of PIH (2 cases [8%] in the study group vs. 10 cases [42%] in the placebo group; relative risk, 0.20; 95% confidence interval, 0.05–0.82; P=.01). Endothelial dysfunction was also significantly reduced after calcium–CLA supplementation (in 18 women [75%] vs. 4 women [17%]; P<.001), compared with the placebo group (in 15 [63%] vs. 9 women [38%]; P=.08). Conclusion: In pregnant women at high risk for PIH, calcium–CLA supplementation decreases the incidence of PIH and improves endothelial function.

Keywords: Calcium, Conjugated linoleic acid, Pregnancy-induced hypertension, Pre-eclampsia, Vascular endothelial function, Prevention