Effects of dietary nitrate in hypertensive pregnant women (version 1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility study on the effects of dietary nitrate on cardiovascular function in hypertensive pregnant women
IRAS ID
174254
Contact name
Jenny Myers
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
The University of Manchester
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
High blood pressure in pregnancy affects around 10% of pregnancies and is associated with serious adverse outcomes for both mother and baby. There are currently limited treatment options available for the clinical management of high blood pressure in pregnancy, and the development of new treatments suitable for use in pregnant women is very much needed. Studies in non-pregnant individuals have shown that supplementation with dietary nitrate (found abundantly in green leafy vegetables and beetroot) can significantly lower blood pressure and improve blood flow and exercise performance. The use of beetroot juice to deliver dietary nitrate doses is well tolerated, and as a dietary supplement is likely to be more appealing than drug-based therapies to pregnant women. This feasibility study aims to investigate whether supplementation with beetroot juice can improve blood pressure regulation in pregnant women with chronic high blood pressure. It will also determine whether beetroot juice supplementation can improve blood flow across the placenta from mother to baby. The study will be carried out at the Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre (MFHRC) at St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester. Pregnant women (between 22-35 weeks gestation) will be identified and approached through antenatal or MFHRC research clinics. Those who are eligible (women with chronic high blood pressure, not currently taking medication to control this) who wish to take part will be randomly assigned to receive either a beetroot juice supplement or a nitrate-free control (placebo), which they will be required to consume once daily for a 7-day period. Women will attend the research clinics for blood pressure, blood flow and cardiovascular measurements (including blood and saliva sampling) on days 1, 2 and 7 of the study (baseline and follow-up). At completion of the study, women will return to routine clinical care and pregnancy outcome data recorded.
REC name
North West - Greater Manchester South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/NW/0383
Date of REC Opinion
17 Jun 2015
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion