title: [Studies on the significance of 17 alpha,20 alpha-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one (17 alpha,20 alpha-P) in pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and its site of production].
abstract: We have measured 17 alpha,20 alpha-P, 17 alpha-OHP and aldosterone in maternal peripheral blood, umbilical arterial and venous blood in normal pregnancy and PIH. The PIH cases studies had a systolic blood pressure above 140 mmHg and a diastolic blood pressure above 90 mmHg for more than two weeks. The 800 G supernatant of the ovary and placenta from human was used as an enzyme source for in vitro studies. Incubation was carried out in a Dubnoff-type incubator at 37 degrees C for 2, 4, 8 and 12 hours. As substrates, [4-14C]-P5,[4-14C]-P and [4-14C]-17 alpha-OHP were used. Concentrations of aldosterone and 17 alpha-OHP of PIH cases were not significantly different from those of control. Concentrations of 17 alpha,20 alpha-P in normal pregnancy and PIH were as follows. Peripheral vein blood, 0.39 +/- 0.08 and 0.64 +/- 0.19 ng/ml, umbilical arterial blood, 0.33 +/- 0.09 and 0.65 +/- 0.19 ng/ml, umbilical vein blood 0.50 +/- 0.12 and 0.84 +/- 0.17 ng/ml, respectively. The 17 alpha,20 alpha-P levels in the maternal peripheral venous, umbilical arterial and venous blood of hypertensive cases were all higher than those of the normal pregnancy. The synthesis of 17 alpha,20 alpha-P in vitro occurred from all the substrates used in the ovary and only from [4-14C]17 alpha-OHP in the placenta. These results suggest that 17 alpha,20 alpha-P is somehow related to the increase in blood pressure and the amount of this steroid is significantly greater in PIH cases than controls.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
mesh_terms: D000450:Aldosterone / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010053:Ovary / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D049590:Postpartum Period; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D006908:Hydroxyprogesterones; C007433:17,20-dihydroxy-4-pregnen-3-one; D000450:Aldosterone