Maternal levels of prostacyclin, thromboxane, ICAM, and VCAM in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies

Abstract

Problem: To evaluate whether impaired endothelial function and endothelial inflammatory response occur in parallel in the women with preeclampsia.

Method of study: Venous blood was drawn from normal (n=40) and severe preeclamptic (sPE) (n=40) pregnant women when they were admitted to the L&D Unit and 24 hrs after delivery. Plasma and serum samples were extracted and measured for 6-keto PGF1α and TXB(2) (stable metabolites of PGI2 and TXA2), and intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) by ELISA. Data are analyzed by Mann-Whitney test and paired t-test. The statistical significance is set as P<0.05. Results Plasma 6-keto PGF1α levels were significantly reduced at admission and 24hr after delivery in sPE compared to normal pregnant controls, P<0.01. The ratio of 6-keto PGF1α and TXB(2) was significant less in sPE than that in normal pregnant controls before delivery. There was no significant difference for ICAM and VCAM levels between normal and patients with sPE before and after delivery.

Conclusion: Maternal 6-keto PGF1α levels and the ratio of 6-keto PGF1α and TXB(2) were decreased in patients with sPE compared to normal pregnant controls. In contrast, maternal ICAM and VCAM levels were not different between the two groups. These data suggest that serum ICAM and VCAM levels may not be sensitive inflammatory biomarkers for preeclampsia.

© 2010 John Wiley & Sons A/S.

Figures

Fig. 1

Correlation of plasma TXB2 concentration with platelet counts at admission in women with preeclampsia. There was no significant correlation of plasma TXB2 levels with platelet counts: y = 0.000x + 0.013, r = 0.203.