Plasma phospholipase A2 levels in patients with preeclampsia

ABSTRACT

The aim was to compare plasma levels of phospholipase A2 [PLA2] in normal and preeclamptic pregnancies, and to investigate the correlation between the level of PLA2 and the severity of the disease. Plasma PLA2 levels in 39 patients with preeclampsia [18 mild, and 21 severe preeclampsia] were compared with 30 normal pregnancies. Patients with preeclampsia [PE] were matched with controls for maternal age, parity, and gestational age at blood sampling. Plasma levels of PLA2 were measured by enzyme immunoassay. The levels of plasma PLA2 were correlated with clinical and biochemical markers of the severity of disease. Plasma levels of PLA2 are elevated in PE and correlated well with the severity of disease. Elevation of this enzyme may contribute to increase placental thromboxane [TXA2], and increased TXA2/prostacyclin [PGI2] ratio, which precedes clinical onset of PE