Thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) in human amniotic fluid. A preliminary study.
Thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) has been studied in normal and complicated pregnancies by a number of investigators, but there is no information on TAFI in amniotic fluid. In our study we asked two questions: (i) whether TAFI is present in amniotic fluid and in what concentration, (ii) whether its concentration is comparable to that in the blood. The study group consisted of 68 parturient women in the first stage of labour. 20 age-matched non-pregnant women constituted the control group. TAFI antigen was measured by immunoenzymatic method (ELISA) and TAFI activity with Actichrome Plasma TAFI Activity Kit by American Diagnostica. The concentration of TAFI antigen in amniotic fluid was 53.25 ng/ml (median) (range: 44.58-76.20 ng/ml) and in mothers' plasma it was 55.46 ng/ml (median) (range: 39.77-68.54 ng/ml); the difference was not statistically significant (p>0.3388). TAFI activity in amniotic fluid was relatively low (median: 3.00 microg/ml, range 0.50-5.45 microg/ml), while the activity in the mothers' plasma was more than three times higher (median 10.50 microg/ml; range: 7.60-13.50 microg/ml) (p<0.0004). TAFI antigen and TAFI activity in plasma of non-pregnant women were as high as in plasma of delivering women. We have concluded that TAFI is a physiological constituent of amniotic fluid. It is possible that TAFI is partially accountable for the antifibrinolytic potential of amniotic fluid.
Regional Hospital in Włocławek, Poland. kizproped@cm.umk.pl
Waldemar
W
Uszyński
Mieczysław
M
Uszyński
Ewa
E
Zekanowska
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000653:Amniotic Fluid / Q000737:chemistry*; D025901:Carboxypeptidase B2 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007743:Labor, Obstetric / Q000097:blood; D036801:Parturition / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy
D025901:Carboxypeptidase B2