title: Neurokinin B peptide serum levels are higher in normotensive pregnant women than in preeclamptic pregnant women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to examine neurokinin B levels in serum from preeclamptic and normotensive and to investigate the role of neurokinin B in preeclampsia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Peripheral and uterine venous blood neurokinin B levels were measured in 14 normotensive and 8 preeclamptic pregnant women by radioimmunoassay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Neurokinin B levels in normotensive women were 4.91 +/- 2.67 nmol/L in peripheral and 5.59 +/- 2.06 nmol/L in uterine blood. In pregnant women with preeclampsia, neurokinin B levels were 2.79 +/- 1.68 nmol/L and 3.20 +/- 1.55 nmol/L, respectively. Neurokinin B levels were significantly higher in normotensive women (P=.032 in peripheral and P=.006 in uterine blood).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neurokinin B serum levels were higher in normotensive women. Higher neurokinin B concentrations in normotensive pregnant women may be due to the advanced gestational age and/or the result of a negative interaction of other vasoactive substances. The role of neurokinin B in preeclampsia remains to be determined.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany. dischlem@utmb.edu
authors.forename: Dietmar
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Schlembach
authors.forename: Fortunato
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Scalera
authors.forename: Tina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Stephen G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Marx
authors.forename: Ernst
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Beinder
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Garfield
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D017359:HELLP Syndrome / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D015287:Neurokinin B / Q000097:blood*; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply
chemical_list: D015287:Neurokinin B