title: Platelet aggregation and TGF-beta(1) plasma levels in pregnant women with preeclampsia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Platelets and transforming growth factor-beta(1) (TGF-beta(1)) are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Our objectives were to determine plasma concentration of TGF-beta(1) in normotensive and preeclamptic women in the third trimester of pregnancy and to evaluate the correlation of TGF-beta(1) plasma levels with platelet count and agonist-induced aggregation capacity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-three women with preeclampsia were compared with 36 healthy women with uncomplicated pregnancies. Peripheral venous blood samples were obtained, and TGF-beta(1) plasma levels measured by an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Platelet aggregation was induced by the agonist agents adenosine diphosphate (ADP), collagen and epinephrine, and was determined in platelet-rich plasma by aggregometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Plasma concentrations of active TGF-beta(1) were significantly higher in preeclamptic women (10.41+/-2.07ng/mL) compared with normotensive pregnant women (7.01+/-3.29ng/mL). Platelet number and platelet agonist-induced aggregation percent were significantly lower in patients with preeclampsia than in healthy pregnant women. A significant correlation was observed between TGF-beta(1) plasma levels and platelet agonist-induced aggregation percent as between plasma levels of TGF-beta(1) and platelet number in preeclamptic patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The association between impairment in platelet responsiveness and higher levels of TGF-beta(1) in the plasma of patients with preeclampsia suggests that this cytokine may play a role in the pathophysiological events of preeclampsia that are dependent on platelet activation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biosciences, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University, 18618-970, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil. peracoli@ibb.unesp.br
authors.forename: Maria Terezinha Serrão
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Peraçoli
authors.forename: Fernanda Tereza Ferreira
authors.initials: FT
authors.lastname: Menegon
authors.forename: Vera Therezinha Medeiros
authors.initials: VT
authors.lastname: Borges
authors.forename: Roberto Antonio
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: de Araújo Costa
authors.forename: Izolete Aparecida
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Thomazini-Santos
authors.forename: José Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Peraçoli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010974:Platelet Aggregation; D010976:Platelet Count; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000209:etiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1