Plasminogen activators and plasminogen activator inhibitors in plasma of premature and term newborns.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the plasminogen activators (tPA, uPA) and their inhibitors (PAI-1, PAI-2) at different gestational ages, related to levels in women at term and non-pregnant women.


METHODS
Blood samples were obtained by puncture of the umbilical cord vein, in gestational weeks 39-40 (n = 21), 30-32 (n = 15), and 27-29 (n = 9). Analyses of PA and PAI antigen concentrations and of PAI-1 activity were performed.


RESULTS
The mean tPA antigen level in term newborn infants was 14.5 micrograms/l compared to the premature newborns (7.0 micrograms/l), women at term (7.5 micrograms/l) and non-pregnant women (2.3 micrograms/l). PAI-1 activity and PAI-2 antigen concentrations were also higher in term newborn than in premature infants.


CONCLUSIONS
The plasma levels of the plasminogen activators and inhibitors are higher in term newborn compared with premature newborn infants, reflecting maturation of protein synthesis.
Astedt
B
B
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Lund, University Hospital, Sweden.
Lindoff
C
C
D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000737:chemistry; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood*; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000097:blood*; D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1 / Q000097:blood*; D017396:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 2 / Q000097:blood*; D010960:Plasminogen Activators / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood
D017395:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1; D017396:Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 2; D010960:Plasminogen Activators