[Activities of respiratory chain enzymes in the etiology of preeclampsia].
OBJECTIVE
Respiratory chain enzymes defect can be found in placentae of some patients with preeclampsia. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between respiratory chain enzyme defect and preeclampsia.


METHODS
Activities of respiratory chain enzymes were measured in 19 patients with preeclampsia (mild 11, and severe 8) and 9 healthy pregnant women as control.


RESULTS
The activities of cytochrome C oxidase (CCO) and adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) in placentae of severe preeclampsia were significantly lower than those of healthy pregnants (P<0.05). Other enzymes' activities showed no difference among the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
Decreasing activities of some respiratory chain enzymes could be one of the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Xiao
Bing
B
Sichuan Provincial Hospital for Women and Children, Chengdu 610031, China.
Xiong
Qing
Q
D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000378:metabolism; D045304:Cytochromes c / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010920:Placenta / Q000201:enzymology; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy
D045304:Cytochromes c; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases