Mineralocorticoids and mineralocorticoid receptors in mononuclear leukocytes in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension.
To examine the role of mineralocorticoids in the pathophysiology of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), we studied plasma aldosterone and 18-hydroxycorticosterone levels in 25 women with PIH and 25 normal pregnant women, as controls. Furthermore, we evaluated the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) status in mononuclear leukocytes in the 2 groups. MR count was significantly (P less than 0.0005) decreased in the PIH group (148 +/- 9 binding sites/cell) compared with the control group (300 +/- 17 binding sites/cell; mean +/- SEM). Plasma aldosterone in women with PIH was 281 +/- 61 pmol/L; in normal pregnant women it was 697 +/- 172 pmol/L (P less than 0.025). Plasma 18-hydroxycorticosterone was also significantly (P less than 0.025) lower (PIH, 1071 +/- 149 pmol/L; controls, 1907 +/- 318 pmol/L). These values were determined at the onset of clinical symptoms of PIH. These results cannot be explained by receptor down-regulation due to higher levels of mineralocorticoids in PIH; a hitherto unknown mineralocorticoid may, thus, be responsible for the hypertension and altered MR status.
Wacker
J
J
Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
E-Mistry
N
N
Bauer
H
H
Vecsei
P
P
Stolz
W
W
Bastert
G
G
D015069:18-Hydroxycorticosterone / Q000097:blood; D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008901:Mineralocorticoids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D018161:Receptors, Mineralocorticoid; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism
D008901:Mineralocorticoids; D018161:Receptors, Mineralocorticoid; D011987:Receptors, Steroid; D000450:Aldosterone; D015069:18-Hydroxycorticosterone