[Role of vascular endothelial growth factor in the genesis of pregnancy induced hypertension and its relationship with nitric oxide].
OBJECTIVE
To study the role of vascular endothelial growth factor in the genesis of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and its relationship with nitric oxide.


METHODS
Serum vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) levels in 41 women with PIH and 20 normal pregnant women were measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) in placental tissues were assayed by nitrite reductase.


RESULTS
(1) Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor VEGF in PIH group were significantly lower than those in normal pregnancy. There was no difference between the mild PIH and normal group in the concentrations of VEGF. VEGF levels in moderate (23.1 +/- 4.1) ng/L and severe PIH (14.8 +/- 3.9) ng/L were significantly lower than those in normal group (P < 0.01). (2) The concentrations of NO in placental tissues in PIH group were significantly lower than those in normal pregnancy (P < 0.01). There was no difference between the concentrations of NO in mild PIH and those in normal pregnancy (P > 0.05). NO levels in moderate PIH (9.1 +/- 2.1) mumol/g and severe PIH (5.6 +/- 1.8) mumol/g were significantly lower than those in control group. (3) The serum levels of VEGF positively correlated with the concentration of NO in placental tissues. (r = 0.65, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The serum levels of VEGF and the concentrations of NO in women with PIH are both suppressed. The changes of VEGF levels might play an important role in the pathogenesis of PIH.
Yang
Z
Z
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266003, China.
Liu
P
P
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000209:etiology*; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism*; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000209:etiology*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors; D009569:Nitric Oxide