Plasma Immunoreactive Endothelin-1 in Pregnant Women With and Without Pre-eclampsia

Authors:
  • FDF. H. M. Derkx
    F. H. M. Derkx
  • WVW. Visser
    W. Visser
  • JHJ. A. Hofman
    J. A. Hofman
  • FRF. M. A. Rosmalen
    F. M. A. Rosmalen
  • HWH. C. S. Wallenburg
    H. C. S. Wallenburg
  • MSM. A. D. H. Schalekamp
    M. A. D. H. Schalekamp
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Abstract
In normotensive nonpregnant women (n = 23), the plasma concentrations of immunoreactive endothelin-1 (ir-ET-1) were not different from nonpregnant women with essential hypertension (n = 15): 3.6 (2.0-5.4) ng/L (mean, range) versus 3.8 (2.4-5.8) ng/L. In normotensive pregnant women (n = 25), the plasma level of ir-ET-1 was 2.1 (1.3-3.4) ng/L (p less than 0.01) lower than in normotensive nonpregnant women. Pre-eclamptic patients (n = 25) had elevated ir-ET-1 plasma levels of 5.0 (2.1-12.4) ng/L (p less than 0.001 for normotensive pregnant women, p less than 0.01 for nonpregnant women). The low level of ir-ET-1 in normotensive pregnant women may be explained by the increase in the distribution volume of ir-ET-1 during the course of pregnancy. Damage of vascular endothelium is a consistent morphological abnormality in pre-eclampsia. Elevated ir-ET-1 in plasma might be a biochemical marker of this abnormality and may contribute to the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.