![Sample our Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing & Allied Health journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5944/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Medicine-Dentistry-Nursing-Allied-Health.jpg"})
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate changes in levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2) during preeclamptic pregnancies. To assess whether the changes are related to placental and/or fetal complications, and to the severity of preeclampsia.
Methods: Concentrations of plasma PAI-2 were measured in 21 normal pregnant women, 94 preeclamptic patients, and 2 patients with hydatidiform mole. Comparisons were made between the respective groups.
Results: Significantly higher PAI-2 levels were shown in the pregnant women with or without preeclampsia than in healthy nonpregnant subjects (P < 0.01), but the preeclamptic patients had lower levels than the normal pregnant women (P < 0.01). In the patients with placental infarction, intrauterine fetal asphyxia, and intrauterine fetal growth retardation, PAI-2 levels were significantly decreased (P < 0.01). However, no difference was present between patients with mild or severe preeclampsia (P > 0.05). In the patients with molar disease, no PAI-2 antigen was detected.
Conclusion: Plasma PAI-2 levels are more closely related to placental function and fetal growth than to the severity of preeclampsia. Presence of fetal tissues and their healthy state seem to share responsibility with the quantity and quality of placental tissues for regulating plasma PAI-2 levels. A marked reduction in PAI-2 concentration may suggest a high risk of placental and/or fetal complications during preeclamptic pregnancy.