title: The effects of estrogen and progesterone on blood glutamate levels during normal pregnancy in women.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine whether changes in estrogen and progesterone levels observed during normal pregnancy influence blood glutamate levels. One-hundred and sixteen pregnant women were divided into three groups based on gestational age: group 1 included women in their first trimester, group 2 included women in their second trimester, and group 3 included women in their third trimester. A single venous blood sample was collected and analyzed for concentrations of estrogen, progesterone, glutamate-pyruvate transaminase (GPT), glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT), and glutamate. Concentrations of blood glutamate were significantly lower during the second trimester (p < 0.001) and third trimester (p < 0.001). Blood glutamate levels were inversely correlated with levels of estrogen and progesterone throughout pregnancy (p < 0.001). Levels of GOT and GPT remained stable during the course of pregnancy, apart from a moderate reduction in GPT during the third trimester. Increases in estrogen and progesterone levels during advanced stages of pregnancy were inversely correlated with maternal blood glutamate concentrations. Once a maximal blood glutamate-reducing effect was achieved, any additional estrogen and progesterone had a negligible effect on blood glutamate. This study demonstrates the glutamate-reducing effects of estrogen and progesterone, which is most likely not mediated by a GOT/GPT conversion mechanism.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and General Intensive Care, Division of Anesthesiology, Soroka Medical Center, Rager Blvd., Beer Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: Svetlana
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsesis
authors.forename: Benjamin Fredrick
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Gruenbaum
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ohayon
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boyko
authors.forename: Shaun Even
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Gruenbaum
authors.forename: Yoram
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shapira
authors.forename: Adi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weintraub
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zlotnik
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000410:Alanine Transaminase / Q000097:blood; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases / Q000097:blood; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D004967:Estrogens / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011261:Pregnancy Trimester, First / Q000097:blood; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second / Q000097:blood; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000097:blood; D011374:Progesterone / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004967:Estrogens; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D011374:Progesterone; D001219:Aspartate Aminotransferases; D000410:Alanine Transaminase