Fasting plasma insulin and C-peptide levels in pre-eclampsia - abstract

In this study, plasma insulin, C-peptide and glucose measurements were done on the fasting blood samples obtained from primigravid pre-eclamptic (PE) women and suitably matched normal pregnant (NP) controls. This was done in order to observe any differences in the pancreatic secretion of insulin between these two groups. Fasting hyperinsulinaemia was observed as a statistically significant feature in the PE. The fasting C-peptide and glucose levels were not significantly different between the two groups. From the fasting C-peptide levels observed it would appear that the hyperinsulinaemia observed in the PE was not the result of hypersecretion of insulin by the pancreas (AU)

Folate status in pre-eclampsia - abstract

Folate deficiency has often been suggested to be a factor in the aetiology of pre-eclampsia. The objectives of the study were to assess the folate status of primigravid Jamaican pre-eclamptic women and to compare them with age and gestational-age matched controls. Folate status was assessed, using red cell folate measured by radioimmunoassay. The forminoglutamic acid (FIGLU) test was also conducted on a subgroup. FIGLU excretion in response to a histidine load is increased in folate deficiency. The FIGLU test provides an additional index of folate status in pregnancy. Red cell folate values in pre-eclamptics were significantly lower than in controls (352.0 ñ 209.7 ng/ml vs. 464.3 ñ 127.2 ng/ml of packed red cells). The pre-eclampsia also excreted significantly more FIGLU after histidine loading, than the controls. In this study, pre-eclamptic women were found to have lower folate levels than controls. This may be a factor in the development of pre-eclampsia (AU)