Pre-eclampsia: the Potential of GSNO Reductase Inhibitors

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pre-eclampsia remains a leading worldwide cause of maternal death and of perinatal morbidity. There remains no definitive treatment except delivery of the fetus. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent insights into the cardiovascular changes that are evident prior to, during, and persist after pre-eclampsia have improved understanding of the underlying pathophysiology—disruption of normal endothelial function and decreased nitric oxide bioavailability. S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) is an endogenous S-nitrosothiol that acts as a NO pool and, by replenishing or preventing the breakdown of GSNO, endothelial dysfunction can be ameliorated. GSNO reductase inhibitors are a novel class of drug that can increase NO bioavailability. SUMMARY: GSNO reductase inhibitors have demonstrated improvement of endothelial dysfunction in animal models, and in vivo human studies have shown them to be well tolerated. GSNOR inhibitors offer a potentially promising option for the management of pre-eclampsia.