J. Pharm. Pharmacogn. Res., vol. 13, no. 5, pp. 1607-1612, Sep-Oct 2025.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres24.2261_13.5.1607

Original Article

Prenatal yoga modulates endothelin-1 and nitric oxide in women at high risk of preeclampsia: A quasi-experimental study

[El yoga prenatal modula la endotelina-1 y el óxido nítrico en mujeres con alto riesgo de preeclampsia: Un estudio cuasiexperimental]

Hamimatus Zainiyah1,2, Bambang Purwanto3, Ernawati4, Raden Argarini3

1Doctoral Program of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia.

2Department of Midwifery, University of Noor Huda Mustofa, Bangkalan, Madura, Indonesia.

3Department of Physiology and Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia.

4Department of Obstetric Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Indonesia.

*E-mail: bambang-purwanto@fk.unair.ac.id

Abstract

Context: Preeclampsia is associated with endothelial dysfunction marked by imbalances in endothelin-1 (ET-1) and nitric oxide (NO).

Aims: To evaluate the effect of prenatal yoga on serum ET-1 and NO levels in pregnant women at high risk for preeclampsia.

Methods: A quasi-experimental pretest-posttest study was conducted on 46 pregnant women (9–16 weeks gestation), assigned to yoga (n=23) and control (n=23) groups. Both groups received standard prenatal care; the intervention group additionally practiced 30-minute yoga sessions five times weekly for four weeks. Serum ET-1 and NO levels were measured pre- and post-intervention.

Results: The yoga group showed a significant decrease in ET-1 levels (p=0.039) and an increase in NO levels (p=0.031), whereas the control group showed opposite trends. Between-group comparisons were also significant for both biomarkers (p<0.01).

Conclusions: Prenatal yoga may improve endothelial function and reduce the risk of preeclampsia through modulation of ET-1 and NO levels.

Keywords: endothelin-1; nitric oxide; preeclampsia; women; yoga.

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Resumen

Contexto: La preeclampsia se asocia con disfunción endotelial, caracterizada por desequilibrios en la endotelina-1 (ET-1) y el óxido nítrico (NO).

Objetivos: Evaluar el efecto del yoga prenatal sobre los niveles séricos de ET-1 y NO en mujeres embarazadas con alto riesgo de preeclampsia.

Métodos: Se realizó un estudio cuasiexperimental pretest-postest en 46 mujeres embarazadas (9-16 semanas de gestación), asignadas a grupos de yoga (n=23) y control (n=23). Ambos grupos recibieron atención prenatal estándar; el grupo de intervención practicó adicionalmente sesiones de yoga de 30 minutos cinco veces por semana durante cuatro semanas. Se midieron los niveles séricos de ET-1 y NO antes y después de la intervención.

Resultados: El grupo de yoga mostró una disminución significativa en los niveles de ET-1 (p=0,039) y un aumento en los niveles de NO (p=0,031), mientras que el grupo control mostró tendencias opuestas. Las comparaciones entre grupos también fueron significativas para ambos biomarcadores (p<0,01).

Conclusiones: El yoga prenatal puede mejorar la función endotelial y reducir el riesgo de preeclampsia mediante la modulación de los niveles de ET-1 y NO.

Palabras Clave: endotelina-1; mujeres; óxido nítrico; preeclampsia; yoga.

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Citation Format: Hamimatus Z, Bambang P, Ernawati, Raden A (2025) Prenatal yoga modulates endothelin-1 and nitric oxide in women at high risk of preeclampsia: A quasi-experimental study. J Pharm Pharmacogn Res 13(5): 1607–1612. https://doi.org/10.56499/jppres24.2261_13.5.1607
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