Preeclampsia is associated with a reduced response to activated protein C.
OBJECTIVE
Resistance to activated protein C is an inherited mutation of the coagulation factor V gene, a major factor predisposing to thromboembolic events. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of heterozygote and homozygote activated protein C resistance in women with preeclampsia.


METHODS
Activated protein C resistance and protein C and antithrombin III levels were determined in women (n = 50) with a history of preeclampsia and in controls (50 women with a previous normal pregnancy). The mutation of the factor V gene was analyzed.


RESULTS
Activated protein C resistance was found in 22% of women with previous preeclampsia compared with 10% among controls. Two women in the previous preeclampsia group had a homozygote mutation of factor V; the others were heterozygous. There was a significant difference in the activated protein C ratio between women with previous preeclampsia and the control group, 2.6 +/- 0.4 versus 3.1 +/- 0.5 (p = 0.04). None of the women had protein C or antithrombin III deficiency.


CONCLUSIONS
The results indicate that activated protein C resistance may be a contributory factor in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Lindoff
C
C
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Lund, University Hospital, Sweden.
Ingemarsson
I
I
Martinsson
G
G
Segelmark
M
M
Thysell
H
H
Astedt
B
B
D000990:Antithrombin III / Q000032:analysis; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000235:genetics; D005165:Factor V / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006579:Heterozygote; D006720:Homozygote; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011486:Protein C / Q000235:genetics*
D011486:Protein C; D000990:Antithrombin III; D005165:Factor V