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—Preeclampsia is a multisystemic disorder of pregnancy in which the normal vascular adaptations to pregnancy are compromised. Oxidative stress as well as endothelial cell dysfunction have been implicated as pathophysiological features of preeclampsia. Endothelial cells produce the vasorelaxant nitric oxide (NO). However, NO is also known to react with superoxide anions (produced under conditions of oxidative stress), yielding peroxynitrite that may impair vascular function. Our objective was to use immunohistochemical techniques to determine whether there is evidence of peroxynitrite formation in the maternal systemic vasculature of women with preeclampsia. Vessels were obtained from a biopsy of subcutaneous fat at the time of cesarean section from normal pregnant (n=7) and preeclamptic (n=7) women or at the time of hysterectomy from nonpregnant women (n=5). There were significantly more vessels …