title: [Changes in serotonin metabolism in pre-eclampsia].
abstract: Several complications of pregnancy have been reported to be associated with alterations of serotonin (5-HT). This study describes the changes in 5-HT metabolism in patients with preeclampsia. Our examination findings should explain if there are elevated 5-HT and 5-HIAA concentrations in urine and serum of women with preeclampsia. On the other hand it should be proved if the observed chances are due to a decreased kidney function and if there is an important prognostic factor to detect asymptomatic preeclamptic patients. 5-HT and its main metabolite 5-hydroxy-indol-acetic acid (5-HIAA) was evaluated in serum and urine of 24 pregnant women with preeclampsia and of 27 pregnant women without preeclampsia in the last month of pregnancy, within 24 hours after delivery and at the fourth day post partum. Besides 5-HIAA was ascertained in 24-h urine from the 24th week of pregnancy until after delivery. 5-HIAA excretion increased continuously during pregnancy independently of whether the patients developed preeclampsia. A significant less increase and lower concentration of 5-HIAA pre and post partum were observed in preeclamptic patients when compared to non-preeclamptic patients. We noticed a remarkably lower 5-HIAA excretion and a higher concentration of 5-HT in women with preeclampsia. Preeclamptic patients demonstrate a lower decrease of 5-HIAA and a significantly greater increase of 5-HT than women without preeclampsia. These results could be explained by a decreased metabolism of 5-HT due to the placental MAO. The changes observed in our study are not due to a decreased kidney function because creatinine concentrations in women with and without preeclampsia were comparable. Our results indicate that 5-HIAA-/creatinine ratio might be an important prognostic factor.
authors.affiliation: Universitäts-Frauenklinik Freiburg.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Schäfer
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: du Bois
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Vach
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Prömpeler
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bauknecht
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Breckwoldt
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D012016:Reference Values; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012701:Serotonin; D006897:Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid
vernacular_title: Veränderungen des Serotoninstoffwechsels bei Präeklampsie.