The impact of magnesium sulfate therapy on angiogenic factors in preeclampsia

ObjectiveThe objective was to evaluate whether intravenous magnesium sulfate (magnesium) alters levels of angiogenic factors in women with preeclampsia.Study designThis was a prospective cohort study comparing women with preeclampsia treated with magnesium for seizure prophylaxis to those who were not. Serum levels of angiogenic factors, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1, soluble endoglin and placental growth factor, were measured at the time of diagnosis and approximately 24 h later. Secondary analysis compared women receiving magnesium for preeclampsia to women receiving magnesium for preterm labor. Analysis of covariance was used to compare levels at 24 h, adjusting for levels at enrollment and potential confounders.ResultsAngiogenic factor levels did not differ between preeclampsia groups with and without magnesium or between preeclampsia and preterm labor groups treated with magnesium (all P > 0.05).ConclusionMagnesium likely decreases seizure risk in preeclampsia by a mechanism other than altering angiogenic factor levels.