The Changes of Serum Nitric Oxide and Platelet Activating Factor Concentrations in Preeclampsia / 대한산부인과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to determine whether any association exists between preeclampsia and the maternal serum level of nitric oxide (NO) and platelet activating factor (PAF). METHODS: NO concentrations were measured using Stuehr's method and PAF concentrations were measured with [3H]PAF scintillation proximity assay (SPA) system (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech). Data were analyzed with SAS windows version 6.12, with significance established at p<0.05. RESULTS: The mean (+/-SD) maternal serum concentrations of NO were significantly higher in the group with severe preeclampsia (5.535+/-0.343 ug/ml) and mild preeclampsia (5.891+/-0.481 ug/ml) than in the normotensive pregnancy group (2.036+/-0.744 ug/ml) (p<0.05). The mean (+/-SD) maternal serum concentrations of PAF were significantly higher in the group with severe preeclampsia (928.9+/-32.3 ng/ml) and mild preeclampsia (789.1+/-63.9 ng/ml) than in the normotensive pregnancy group (435.8+/-59.5 ng/ml) (p<0.05). The mean birth weight was lower in the mild and severe preeclampsia groups than in the normotensive pregnancy group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Maternal serum NO and PAF concentrations were more increased in preeclampsia than normotensive pregnancy group. NO may therefore serve as compensatory mechanism for vasoconstriction of preeclampsia and PAF as a marker for the risk of preeclampsia.