Elevated plasma endothelial microparticles in preeclampsia.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to assess endothelial dysfunction in women with preeclampsia by measuring endothelial microparticles.


METHODS
A case-control study was conducted on 20 women with preeclampsia and 20 healthy pregnant women as control subjects. Endothelial microparticles were measured by flow cytometry with anti-CD31 and anti-CD42. CD31(+)/CD42(+) platelet microparticles were also quantified.


RESULTS
Plasma endothelial microparticles levels were elevated significantly in women with preeclampsia as compared with control subjects (mean+/-SD and median [range]: 14,723+/-7,724 counts/microL and 12,378 counts/microL [1,442-33,772 counts/microL] vs 8406+/-2832 counts/microL and 9016 counts/microL [3,381-12,806 counts/microL]; P<.001). Plasma platelet microparticles levels were not different among cases compared to control subjects (10,751+/-6,114 counts/microL and 9463 counts/microL [3,000-23,895 counts/microL] vs 7871+/-4344 counts/microL and 6462 counts/microL [444-18,947 counts/microL]; P=.208). No significant correlation was found between plasma endothelial microparticles and mean arterial pressure in cases or control subjects.


CONCLUSIONS
The elevation of endothelial microparticles in women with preeclampsia supports the endothelial injury theory in preeclampsia.
González-Quintero
Vctor H
VH
Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, FL 33136, USA. vhgonzalez@med.miami.edu
Jiménez
Joaqun J
JJ
Jy
Wenche
W
Mauro
Luca M
LM
Hortman
Lawrence
L
O'Sullivan
Mary J
MJ
Ahn
Yeon
Y
D000328:Adult; D001769:Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D001794:Blood Pressure; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010316:Particle Size; D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D019038:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies
D019408:Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D019038:Platelet Glycoprotein GPIb-IX Complex