[A study on the relationship between serum free alpha-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin and pregnancy induced hypertension]

Abstract

Objective: To determine the correlation of free alpha subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (F alpha-hCG) with pregnancy induced hypertension(PIH), and to observe the immunohistochemical expression of alpha-hCG in placentae from PIH.

Methods: Serum was obtained from 66 successive pregnant women diagnosed with PIH (5 mild, 8 middle and 53 severe) at 21-43 weeks' gestation. A group of 30 non PIH gravid women were used as controls. The serum was assayed for F alpha-hCG by monoclonal technology and human prolactin was assayed for correcting the blood contraction. Immunolocalization and the intensity of the immunohistochemical stained in the placentae from 13 PIH and 13 normal pregnancies.

Results: Significant difference was noted between the two groups mean of F alpha-hCG (the control group VS PIH group was 528 +/- 421 IU/L VS 222 +/- 129 IU/L, P < 0.001); no significant between two groups of hPL. The mean value of F alpha-hCG of severe PIH revealed significantly higher than the mild and moderate (569 +/- 455 IU/L VS 363 +/- 159 IU/L, P < 0.01); The leve of F alpha-hCG in group of proteinuria > or = +++ was higher than that of proteinuria < +++ (598 +/- 474 IU/L VS 425 +/- 291 IU/L, P > 0.05). The intensity of alpha-hCG immunostaining in syncytiotrophoblast was significantly increased in 13 PIH compared with the control group (the strong positive rate 10/13 VS 3/13 P < 0.025).

Conclusions: The level of F alpha-hCG are significantly higher in PIH compared with controls. The more severe the higher level of F alpha-hCG is in PIH. The higher level of alpha-hCG has the basement of placentae pathology.