RÉSUMÉ
To investigate the role of E-selectin, xanthine oxidase, the anti-oxidant enzyme catalase, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase [eNOS] activity and gene polymorphism in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia. Design: Case control study. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Department of Medical Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University. Subjects: Thirty preeclampsia patients [15 mild, and 15 severe] and fifteen normotensive controls. Interventions: Plasma samples were assayed for E-selectin and xanthine oxidase. Erythrocyte catalytic activity and eNOS activity in polymorphonuclear leucocytes were determined followed by screening for the Glu 298 Asp eNOS gene variant. Plasma xanthine oxidase and E-selectin were significantly increased and eNOS activity significantly decreased in the pre eclamptic groups compared to controls. Erythrocyte catalase did not differ significantly between groups. The frequency of Glu 298 Asp gene variant was significantly increased in severe preeclampsia. E-selectin, xanthine oxidase and eNOS may be used as clinically useful biomarkers for preeclampsia. The presence of Glu 298 Asp eNOS gene could be a marker for increased risk of developing severe preeclampsia