15-keto-13-14-dihydroprostaglandin-f2alpha and Pre-Eclampsia

This study is designed to evaluate whether oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in severe pre-eclampsia compared to normal pregnancy and non-pregnancy. We have measured plasma and urinary levels of 8-iso-PGF2alpha, a major isoprostane as an indicator of oxidative stress; plasma and urinary 15-keto-dihydro-PGF2alpha, a major metabolite of cyclooxygenase-catalysed PGF2alpha as an indicator of inflammatory response, and plasma -alpha-and -gamma-tocopherol in 18 pre-eclamptic, 19 normal pregnancy and 20 non-pregnant women. Pregnant women had significantly higher levels of 8-iso-PGF2alpha and PGF2alpha metabolite as compared to the non-pregnancy. Levels of 8-iso-PGF2alpha in the pre-eclamptic women did not differ from the normal pregnancy but PGF2alpha metabolite levels were significantly higher in normal pregnancy. On the other hand, gamma-tocopherol levels were significantly lower in pre-eclampsia than normal pregnancy. In contrast, the concentration of alpha-tocopherol was very similar between the groups. alpha-and gamma-tocopherol levels were significantly lower in pregnancy compared to non-pregnancy. Although no direct evidence of oxidative stress and inflammatory response was observed in severe pre-eclampsia, a reduction of gamma-tocopherol suggests the possible precedence of oxidative stress in this condition. Higher levels of isoprostanes and prostaglandin metabolite in late pregnancy suggest the importance of both free radicals and cyclooxygenase-catalysed oxidation products in normal biological processes of pregnancy.

Topics: Adult; alpha-Tocopherol; Antioxidants; Biomarkers; Dinoprost; Female; gamma-Tocopherol; Humans; Inflammation; Lipid Peroxidation; Oxidative Stress; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Trimester, Third; Sweden

Plasma 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha, 13,14-dihydro-15-keto prostaglandin F, and thromboxane B2 levels were measured in normotensive and preeclamptic patients during pregnancy and the postpartum period. From 30 to 40 weeks of gestation, 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha levels of preeclamptic patients were significantly lower than those of normotensive women; 13,14-dihydro-15-keto prostaglandin F and thromboxane B2 concentrations in preeclamptic patients did not significantly differ from those of the normotensive group. At delivery, 6-keto prostaglandin F1 alpha levels of maternal and umbilical venous plasma of preeclamptic women were also significantly lower than those of normotensive women. In the postpartum period these three prostanoids were not significantly different in normotensive women compared to preeclamptic women, with clinical preeclamptic symptoms soon disappearing in most of our patients. From the results, it seems that prostacyclin plays an important role in preeclampsia.

Topics: 6-Ketoprostaglandin F1 alpha; Dinoprost; Female; Fetal Blood; Humans; Labor, Obstetric; Postpartum Period; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Prostaglandins F; Radioimmunoassay; Thromboxane B2; Thromboxanes

The concentrations of prostaglandins E (PGE) and F (PGF), 13, 14-dihydro-15-oxo-prostaglandin F (PGFM) and thromboxane B2 (TXB2) were measured by specific radioimmunoassays in tissues obtained from women with and without pre-eclampsia. The concentrations of PGE in the amnion, chorion, decidua and placenta obtained from subjects with pre-eclampsia were significantly lower than those from subjects without pre-eclampsia. The concentration of PGE in these tissues increased significantly with gestational age and correlated with urinary oestrogen excretion. PGF concentrations were lower in the amnion and placenta of the pre-eclamptics compared to those without pre-eclampsia. The concentrations of PGFM in the amnion, decidua, and myometrium were lower in the pre-eclamptics. No significant difference in the TXB2 concentrations between the two groups of subjects were found. It is suggested that the altered tissue concentrations of prostaglandins in pre-eclamptics are due to the effects of gestational age and oestrogens and may or may not be involved in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Amnion; Chorion; Decidua; Dinoprost; Female; Humans; Myometrium; Placenta; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Prostaglandins E; Prostaglandins F; Thromboxane B2; Thromboxanes