Amniotic fluid endothelin-1 levels are increased in pregnancy-induced hypertension and intrauterine growth retardation.
Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictor released by vascular endothelium. Because endothelial cell damage is considered determinant in the pathophysiology of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), this study was conducted to evaluate the role of ET-1 produced by feto-placental tissues in PIH. Amniotic fluid samples obtained by amniocentesis from patients with PIH (N = 33), intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) (N = 16), and PIH associated with IUGR (N = 12) were evaluated for ET-1 and compared to 42 normotensive pregnancies using a specific radioimmunoassay. ET-1 levels were significantly increased in PIH (35.6 +/- 1.9 pg/ml) and IUGR groups (33.8 +/- 4.6 pg/ml) compared to controls (20.8 +/- 1.4 pg/ml) (P < 0.01). In patients with PIH associated with IUGR, ET-1 concentrations were higher (P < 0.05) with no correlation with the severity of IUGR. Our data indicate that in PIH and IUGR ET-1 production and/or secretion is enhanced in the amniotic compartment, suggesting that the peptide may contribute to the pathophysiologic modification observed in these conditions.
Di Iorio
R
R
2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Marinoni
E
E
Anceschi
M M
MM
Emiliani
S
S
Letizia
C
C
Cosmi
E V
EV
D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000032:analysis*; D005321:Extraembryonic Membranes / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000378:metabolism*; D005333:Fetus / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D009929:Organ Size; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy
D019332:Endothelin-1