Serum levels of inhibin B, unlike inhibin A and activin A, are not altered in women with preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate whether inhibin A, inhibin B, and activin A serum levels are altered in women with preeclampsia.


METHODS
Serum samples of 20 women with preeclampsia (study group) and 20 normotensive pregnant women, matched for maternal and gestational age and parity, were assayed for inhibin A, inhibin B and activin A by specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.


RESULTS
Median serum concentrations of inhibin A and activin A were significantly higher among women with preeclampsia than in women with normotensive pregnancies, while inhibin B levels were comparable in both groups. Activin A levels were positively correlated with those of inhibins A and B, and inhibin A levels were positively correlated with diastolic blood pressure and inhibin B concentration in the study group.


CONCLUSIONS
Inhibin A and activin A, but not inhibin B, serum levels are markedly increased in women with preeclampsia. These hormones might serve as an endocrine marker for preeclampsia.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ma'ayani Hyeshua Hospital, Bnai Brak, Israel. danzv@green.co.il
D
D
Yair
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Eshed-Englender
M J
MJ
Kupferminc
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Geva
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J
Frenkel
D
D
Sherman
D028341:Activins; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007265:Inhibins / Q000097:blood*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D029584:Prostatic Secretory Proteins
D029584:Prostatic Secretory Proteins; C043076:beta-microseminoprotein; C094377:inhibin-alpha subunit; D028341:Activins; D007265:Inhibins