Comparison of Prostaglandins E₂ and F₂α Blood Levels in Pre-Eclampsia with Normal Pregnancy

Abstract

Levels of prostaglandins (PGs) E₂ and F₂α in the peripheral plasma of women in pre-eclampsia and in normal pregnancy have been compared. Two types of comparisons were made. In one, all the cases of pre-eclampsia were grouped together irrespective of the severity of the condition and comparisons with the normal pregnancy were made on the basis of gestation period. The results showed that there was no significant difference in PG levels in the two groups.

In the second comparison, pre-eclampsia subjects were grouped as moderate and severe cases irrespective of their gestation length. The levels of PGs in these groups were compared with those in the 3rd trimester of normal pregnancy. The results showed that the values of the two PGs in moderate pre-eclampsia were similar to those in the normal pregnancy. In contrast, however, the subjects with severe pre-eclampsia had higher PGE₂ and lower PGF₂α. levels compared with either normal pregnancy or moderate pre-eclampsia. In addition the PGE₂:PGF₂α ratio in severe pre-eclampsia was significantly higher than the ratio found in either normal pregnancy or moderate pre-eclampsia. It is possible that the change in PGE₂:PGF₂α in severe pre-eclampsia occurs as a consequence of the prevailing condition and is not the cause of pre-eclampsia.