Key to preeclampsia treatment and prevention might be hidden in carbon monoxide

A new study claims to have found potential treatment approach to preeclampsia which has no cure as yet. Preeclampsia is a disorder which occurs in pregnant women and lead to serious illness or even death to both the mother and the fetus. The study was led by Graeme Smith of Queen's University, Canada, the researchers used animal model for the study. Previous research has found that pregnant women with PE have less carbon monoxide in their breath. Low levels of carbon monoxide are good for the body even though high levels of it could be fatal. The study exposed mice to CO that they inhaled. There was a increase in blood flow and vascular growth in the developing placenta of the mice which in turn led to strengthening of connections to the mother’s uterus. This process provides more oxygen and nutrients to the fetus. This led researchers to believe that a controlled dosage of CO in humans might help in preventing or treating early stages of preeclampsia.