[Investigation on the causes of pregnancy induced hypertension].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate some possible causes of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH).


METHODS
Plasma antithrombin (AT-II), fibronectin (Fn), plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) levels were determined at 26-28, 37-38 gestational weeks and 24-72 hours after delivery in 114 pregnant women whose mean arterial pressure (MAP) > or = 12 kPa or body weight index > or = 0.24. Women were longitudinally followed to observe whether PIH developed and its relation to the changes of the above parameters.


RESULTS
AT-II level decreased and Fn, PAI levels increased significantly in PIH patients (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The endothelial cells damage results in an increase of thromboxane A2 (TXA2), decrease of prostaglandin I2 (PGI2), and increase of PAI, Fn, decrease of AT-II, as well as the increase of angiotensin II sensitivity. All these changes lead to vascular constriction. As the results, renal and uterine placenta blood flow decrease, then PIH occurrs.
Zhang
Z
Z
Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Shanghai Medical University.
Cheng
W
W
Duan
T
T
D000990:Antithrombin III / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005353:Fibronectins / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D015849:Plasminogen Inactivators / Q000097:blood*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D014661:Vasoconstriction
D005353:Fibronectins; D015849:Plasminogen Inactivators; D000990:Antithrombin III