The relationship of smoking, preeclampsia, and secretory component.
OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine whether total secretory component in serum is increased in women in whom preeclampsia subsequently develops.


METHODS
Serum samples were collected serially throughout pregnancy and post partum from nulliparous women (N = 1496). Serum concentrations of total secretory component were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in all women in whom preeclampsia developed (n = 71) and a randomly selected group of normotensive women (n = 83).


RESULTS
Secretory component increased with smoking (P =.0003) and with gestation (P =.0001). In the whole group secretory component was not different in women with preeclampsia (P =.10), but there was a significant interaction of smoking, gravidity, and preeclampsia (P =.04). Among the women who smoked, secretory component was lower in women in whom preeclampsia subsequently developed compared with those who remained normotensive (P =.02). This difference was significant from 15 to 19 weeks' gestation.


CONCLUSIONS
Very high serum concentrations of secretory component in smokers may protect against the development of preeclampsia and may indicate the involvement of mucosal tolerance.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National Women's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Auckland, New Zealand.
R A
RA
North
R
R
Taylor
R
R
Li Zhou
J C
JC
Schellenberg
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000150:complications*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012635:Secretory Component / Q000502:physiology*; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*
D012635:Secretory Component