[Changes of plasma p-selectin and nitric oxide in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension]

Abstract

Objective: To study the roles of P-selectin and nitric oxide (NO) on the etiology of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH).

Methods: The levels of plasma P-selectin and nitrite and nitrate (NO2-/NO3-) were determined in 36 patients with PIH. The data were compared with those of normal pregnant group (n = 18) and healthy non-pregnant group (n = 19). The levels of plasma P-selectin were measured by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and levels of plasma NO2-/NO3- were measured by Griess reaction after the nitrate was reduced by a Cadmium-reduction method.

Results: The result showed: (1) The level of P-selectin in the normal pregnant group (48.92 +/- 15.16) micrograms/L was higher than that in non-pregnant group [(30.16 +/- 8.42) micrograms/L, P < 0.001]. There was no significantly statistical difference in the levels of P-selectin between the normal pregnant group and the mild PIH group (P > 0.05). The levels of P-selectin in the moderate and severe PIH group (70.11 +/- 17.65) micrograms/L were higher than those in the mild PIH group [(47.33 +/- 17.95) micrograms/L, P < 0.01] and the normal pregnant group (P < 0.001). (2) The concentration of NO2-/NO3- in normal pregnant group was higher than that in non-pregnant group (P < 0.01). The concentration of NO2-/NO3- in PIH group were lower than was in normal pregnant group (P < 0.001). The NO2-/NO3- in mild group was lower than that in normal pregnant group (P < 0.001). The Plasma concentration of NO2-/NO3- in moderate and severe PIH group was lower than that of mild group (P < 0.05). (3) There was a negative correlation between the plasma concentration of P-selectin and NO2-/NO3- in the PIH group.

Conclusion: The changes of plasma levels of P-selectin and NO are related to the occurrence and development of PIH.