The Association of Plasma Endothelin with Clinical Parameters in Preeclampsia

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether there are any asSociations between maternal plasma endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels and clinical parameters in pre-eclampsia.

Methods: Blood samples were collected from 32 healthy pregnant women, 21 women with preeclampsia, and 11 women with gestational hypertension in the third trimester. ET-1 was measured by radioimmunoassay from Sep-Pak C₁₈-_-extracted plasma.

Results: The ET-1 levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic women [median 6.2 pmol/L (range 3.9–13.0)] than in healthy pregnant controls [4.8 pmol/L (1.8–6.8)], P < 0.0041. There was a positive correlation between plasma ET-1 levels and an umbilical arterial systolic/diastolic ratio (r = 0.42, P < 0.02) and an inverse, although statistically not significant, correlation between plasma ET-1 levels and platelet count (r = -0.35, P = 0.059) in women with preeclampsia and gestational hypertension.

Conclusions: These findings suggest increased release of ET-1 in preeclampsia and an asSociation between the plasma ET-1 level and the severity of hypertensive disorder in pregnancy.

Key Words:

• Endothelin
• Preeclampsia
• Pregnancy
• Hypertension