Assessing the Beneficial Effects of Antioxidants

Early in pregnancy, the maternal vasculature undergoes dramatic adaptations to help support both the mother and the developing baby throughout pregnancy. However, failure of the maternal vasculature to fully adapt can result in the pregnancy disease known as pre-eclampsia (PE). PE affects approximately 1/20 pregnancies and is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Unfortunately, disease severity often results in premature babies. Recently, it has become apparent how important the maternal vasculature is for disease development, making it a target to alleviate the clinical symptoms of PE and prolong pregnancy. Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, provide a variety of beneficial health effects. So far, evidence suggests that novel compounds found in green leafy vegetables may have beneficial affects throughout the body, including the vasculature. Therefore, this project aims to identify whether these extracts can promote systemic health and be potential novel treatments for women with pre-eclampsia. This project will specifically explore the placental and vascular effects.