title: Arginase activity and lecithin/sphingomyelin (l/s) ratio in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women.
abstract: Arginase activity is important in polyamines and nitric oxide production which are required for the normal growth of placenta and embryo. A considerable arginase activity is observed in amniotic fluid in women at the end of pregnancy. Lecithin to sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio is widely used in order to assess fetal lung immaturity and prevention of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, the major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The purpose of our study was to determine if there is a relationship between arginase activity and L/S ratio in amniotic fluid. The study included 170 pregnant women, 18-43 years old, with normal and pathological pregnancy. The arginase activity was measured on the basis of the determination of the amount of liberated ornithine from arginine as substrate. The L/S ratio was done by using a thin layer chromatography. Increased level of arginase activity correlates with the fetal lung maturity. Arginase activity and L/S values may be useful biochemical data, for intrauterine baby maturity.
authors: Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia.
authors: Gordana
authors: G
authors: Bjelakovic
authors: Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia.
authors: Petar
authors: P
authors: Miladinovic
authors: Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia.
authors: Tatjana
authors: T
authors: Jevtovic-Stoimenov
authors: Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia.
authors: Ivana
authors: I
authors: Stojanovic
authors: Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia.
authors: Jelenka
authors: J
authors: Nikolic
authors: Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia.
authors: Dusica
authors: D
authors: Pavlovic
authors: Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia.
authors: Gordana
authors: G
authors: Kocic
authors: Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia.
authors: Marija
authors: M
authors: Bjelakovic
authors: Clinic of Pediatry, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Clinical Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia.
authors: Mira
authors: M
authors: Ilic
authors: Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia.
authors: Dusan
authors: D
authors: Sokolovic
authors: Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia.
authors: Jelena
authors: J
authors: Basic
keywords: Amniotic fluid; Arginase activity; Lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio; Women
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