A study (VIP) to test if vitamin C & E supplements can improve the clinical outcome of women at high-risk of pre-eclampsia
Dr L Chappell et al.
Guy's, King's & St Thomas' Hospitals, London

To read about this trial please go to the page on VIP

Investigating the causes of raised blood pressure in women with pre-eclampsia
Professor G Mann et al.
Kings College, London
NB This grant is fully funded by Community Fund

Pre-eclampsia is a life-threatening complication of pregnancy and one of the leading causes of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality in the Western world. Approximately 10% of pregnant women are affected by pre-eclampsia and termination of pregnancy remains the only effective treatment. A better understanding of the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia would improve the quality of life within the community and reduce financial costs on regional health authorities involved in the care of mothers and premature babies.

The aim of this research is to characterise the damaging effects of placental oxidation in endothelial and smooth muscle cells isolated from blood vessels derived from the maternal and fetal circulations of normal and pre-eclamptic pregnancies. Restoration of normal calcium levels and inhibition of select ion channels may provide an effective therapy to reduce maternal blood pressure in pre-eclampsia.

Investigating the hormone Activin A and its role in pre-eclampsia
Dr Muttukrishna, Dr I Sargent and Prof C Redman
John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford
NB This grant is fully funded by the Freemasons' Grand Charity

Pre-eclampsia is a common and potentially dangerous condition of late pregnancy, which can affect both mother and baby. There is no cure except to end the pregnancy by an induced delivery, which resolves most problems except where the baby is premature. Pre-eclampsia is the most common reason for induced premature delivery, and sometimes the baby may be too immature to survive. In effect, in these cases the baby's life is lost in order to save the mothers.

The placenta produces many hormones which are essential for its normal functions and which signal to the mother's systems what is needed for pregnancy to develop. One such hormone is activin A. Researchers have discovered that levels of this hormone are raised in the blood stream of women with pre-eclampsia and this increase may appear before other symptoms of the condition. Thus, there is evidence that the placenta is producing too much activin A in pre-eclampsia for some as yet unknown reason. It is hoped that this project will shed light on the origins of pre-eclampsia, and lead to improved prevention and treatment.

If confirmed, the findings to date suggest that the very high levels of activin A found in pre-eclampsia may be produced in part by the mother's white blood cells as a result of the ongoing inflammatory response.

Research to improve the understanding and prevention of premature labour
Research on understanding and preventing stillbirth and miscarriage
Research to improve the understanding and prevention of pre-eclampsia
Research to prevent health problems in small or premature babies