Introduction: Preeclampsia is a complex syndrome of unknown aetiologic origin. It is characterized by the clinical triad of hypertension, edema and protenuria. Current concepts of the genesis of preeclampsia include endothelial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Objective: This study assessed the relationship between the activity of superoxide dismutase, the zincemia and the preeclampsia. Methods: A case-control study was carried out with 94 women, age between 17 and 44 years, which were divided in two groups: women with preeclampsia (n = 44) and control group women with normal pregnancy (n = 50). The activity of superoxide dismutase enzyme was determined according to Ransod kit. Zinc concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes were determined using the flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry technique, both determined before delivery and during puerperium. Student's t-test and the paired t-test were used for statistical analysis, and significance was established at p < 0.05. Results: The study revealed plasma hypozincemia more pronounced in women with severe preeclampsia (p < 0.05). This behavior was not observed in eryth-rocytes, whose concentrations remained stable, before delivery and puerperium in women with preeclampsia and normal pregnancy. The antioxidant activity of the enzyme superoxide dismutase was found elevated in women with and without preeclampsia (p>0.05), with significant reduction in activity in the postpartum period (p < 0.05) in both groups studied (p>0.05). Conclusions: This study shows there are alterations in biochemical parameters of zinc in women with preeclampsia. The activity of superoxide dismutase shows that this marker cannot be used to predict the evolution of the disease.

Introducción: La preeclampsia es un síndrome de origen desconocido del punto de vista etiológico. Se caracteriza clínicamente por una tríada de síntomas: edema, hipertensión y proteinuria. Los conceptos actuales sobre la patogénesis de la preeclampsia incluyen la disfunción endotelial y el estrés oxidativo. Objetivo: En este estudio se evaluó la relación entre la actividad de la superóxido dismutasa, zincemia y preeclampsia. Métodos: Este estudio de casos y controles se llevó a cabo con 94 mujeres, con un rango de edad situado entre 17 y 44 años, los que fueron divididos en dos grupos: mujeres con preeclampsia (n = 44) y grupo control, las mujeres con embarazo normal (n = 50). La actividad de la superóxido dismutasa se llevó a cabo según el kit Ransod. Las concentraciones de zinc en plasma y los eritrocitos fue realizada según el metodo de espectrofotometría de absorción atómica de llama, ambos determinados antes del nacimiento y después del parto. La prueba de la t de Student y la prueba t pareada fue utilizada para el análisis estadístico (p < 0,05). Resultados: El estudio reveló hypozincemia en el plasma, con valores más altos en las mujeres con preeclampsia severa (p < 0,05). Esta situación no fue observada en los eritrocitos, cuya concentración se mantuvo estable antes del parto y en el puerperio, en las mujeres con preeclampsia y en las con embarazo normal. La actividad antioxidante de la superóxido dismutasa, se encontró elevada en las mujeres con y sin preeclampsia (p > 0,05), con una reducción significativa en la actividad en el periodo postparto (p < 0,05) en ambos grupos (p > 0,05). Conclusiones: Este estudio revelló que hay cambios en los parámetros bioquímicos de zinc en mujeres con preeclampsia. La actividad de la superóxido dismutasa se revelló que este marcador no se puede utilizar para predecir la progresión de la enfermedad.

Objetivos: comparar a eficácia do sulfato de magnésio e da fenitoína no controle das convulsões em pacientes com eclâmpsia e avaliar os efeitos de sulfato de magnésio e da fenitoína sobre o prognóstico materno e perinatal em pacientes com eclâmpsia. Métodos: estudo prospectivo, randômico e controlado no qual foram analisados, de forma comparativa, os resultados obtidos no tratamento anticonvulsivante da eclâmpsia em 77 mulheres tratadas com sulfato de magnésio ou fenitoína. As drogas que constituíram os dois esquemas terapêuticos foram distribuídas, na proporção de um para um, em caixas numeradas aleatoriamente que apresentavam características semelhantes. À medida que cada paciente era admitida, uma caixa era aberta e o esquema nela contido administrado à paciente. Resultados: observou-se que, no grupo tratado com sulfato de magnésio, 19,5% das pacientes apresentaram recidiva de convulsões, ao passo que no grupo que usou fenitoína, 36,1% manifestaram novas crises (p<0,05). As pacientes que foram tratadas com sulfato de magnésio apresentaram uma maior prevalência de hemorragia pós-parto (14,7%) que as que utilizaram fenitoína (2,7%) (p<0,05). Em relação aos recém-nascidos, 17,0% do grupo de mães tratadas com sulfato de magnésio apresentaram desconforto respiratório, contra 11,8% no grupo que foi tratado com fenitoína (p>0,05). Conclusões: o sulfato de magnésio mostrou-se mais eficaz que a fenitoína no controle e prevenção da recidiva de convulsões em pacientes com eclâmpsia, embora sua utilização esteja associada a maior prevalência materna de hemorragia pós-parto e desconforto respiratório neonatal. A fenitoína apresenta-se como droga alternativa para o tratamento de eclâmpsia nos casos em que houver contra-indicação ao uso do sulfato de magnésio.

Purpose: to compare the efficiency between magnesium sulfate and phenytoin in the control of convulsions in patients with eclampsia and to evaluate the effects of magnesium sulfate and phenytoin on the maternal and perinatal prognosis in patients with eclampsia. Methods: this is a prospective, randomized and controlled study in which the results obtained with the use of anticonvulsive treatment in 77 women with eclampsia, treated with either magnesium sulfate or phenytoin, were analyzed comparatively. The drugs which were used in both therapeutic schemes were distributed in a one to one ratio, in randomly numbered boxes which presented similar characteristics. When a patient was admitted, a box was opened and its contents were given to the patient. Results: in the group whose patients were treated with magnesium sulfate, 19.5% had recurrent convulsions while in the group whose patients used phenytoin, 36.1% had new crises (p<0,05). The patients who were treated with magnesium sulfate showed a greater prevalence of postpartum hemorrhage (14,7%) than those to whom phenytoin was administered (2.7%) (p<0.05). In relation to the newborns, 17.0% of the group from mothers treated with magnesium sulfate presented respiratory distress as opposed to the group of newborns from mothers treated with phenytoin (11.8%), (p> 0,05). Conclusion: magnesium sulfate is shown to be more efficient than phenytoin in the control and the prevention of convulsions in patients with eclampsia. However, its utilization showed a higher prevalence of postpartum hemorrhage and respiratory distress. Phenytoin should be used in cases where the use of magnesium sulfate is contraindicated.