ABSTRACT
To clarify a possible role for atrial naturiuretic peptide [ANP] in the pathophysiology of pregnancy complicated by hypertension, we studied plasma levels of ANP, Aldosterone, plasma rennin activity [PRA], sodium [Na+] and potassium [K+] in normal non pregnant women [n = 20], pregnant women with preeclampsia [n = 30] and in pregnant women with chronic hypertension [n = 12]. Plasma levels of ANP were found to be significantly increased in preeclamptic and chronic hypertensive women with the highest levels in the severe preeclampsia. On the other hand PRA, serum aldosterone and serum Na+ were found to be significantly reduced in severe preeclamptic and chronic hypertensive, pregnant women. An inverse relationship was found between plasma ANP and either serum aldosterone, PRA or serum Na+ in the severe preeclamptic and chronic hypertensive groups