Hypothesis: a central role for platelet activating factor in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.
The pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia is uncertain, though many mechanisms have been postulated. These include an immune response to fetal or placental antigens, a thromboxane-prostacyclin system imbalance and an increase in levels of or responsiveness to angiotensin. We propose the hypothesis that platelet activating factor (PAF), a mediator of inflammatory and allergic responses, may be an important link between these pathophysiological events.
Rodrigues
F A
FA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of the Witwatersrand, Parktown, South Africa.
Hofmeyr
G J
GJ
Sonnendecker
E W
EW
Atkinson
P M
PM
D000804:Angiotensin II / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000502:physiology*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D013931:Thromboxanes / Q000502:physiology
D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D013931:Thromboxanes; D000804:Angiotensin II