Endothelium-derived nitric oxide metabolites and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in diabetic and normal pregnancies

Increased cord serum NOx but unaltered sICAM-1 concentration in diabetic pregnancies indicates that maternal diabetes does not cause a general alteration in fetal endothelial function. The increase in cord serum and maternal serum NOx concentration in diabetic pregnancies may be due to abnormalities in insulin-induced nitric oxide release or to a diminished reactivity of the vasculature to the effects of nitric oxide.