Abstract
Background. Diseases with low-grade inflammation perturb endothelial function. We investigated whether preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) is associated with endothelial dysfunction, as assessed by the levels of endothelium-derived nitric oxide metabolites (NO x ) and E-selectin in maternal serum. Methods. The concentrations of NO x and E-selectin were measured in 32 pregnant women with PPROM and in 27 healthy gestational age-matched control women. The grade of inflammation was estimated by measuring serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) concentrations. Results. NO x and E-selectin concentrations were not different in PPROM patients as compared to controls. In 17 patients with PPROM, CRP rose above 12 mg/L. In this group, IL-6 concentration was significantly higher than among controls, but concentrations of NO x and E-selectin remained unaltered. There was a negative correlation between the levels of NO x , CRP and IL-6 and the interval from PPROM to delivery. The levels of NO x correlated positively with those of IL-6. Conclusions. PPROM, with or without CRP and IL-6 surges, does not affect endothelial function markedly, as judged from the unaltered concentrations of NO x and E-selectin in maternal serum.