No abstract

In normal pregnancy, total protein S antigen and activity have been reported to be markedly reduced, whereas protein C level was found unaltered. In contrast, in severe preeclampsia protein C antigen was found to be considerably reduced. The presentstudy was done to clarify whether similar changes in protein Cwould alsobe observed for the mildand moderatepreeclamptic state andwhether there would be any effects on the level ofprotein S, since nodata on this cofactor in preeclampsia have been reported to date. 4-0 women in the 3rd trimester of pregnancy - 20 with uncomplicated pregnancies and 20 who had developed a mild (n = 14-) or moderate (n = 6) preeclamptic condition - were included in the study. All groups were well matched in age and gestational age. In addition, 20 healthynon-pregnant women served as controls. All probands had normal liver (SGOT, SGPT) and kidney (BUN, creatinine) values and no other medication than oral vitamins was used. Classification of preeclampsia was done according to a modification of the gestosis index of Goecke using an 11 gradeindex system (0 - 11). ProteinC antigen was measured by an enzyme-linkedimmunosorbent assay and protein S by the Laurell rocket technique.For statistics, the Wilcoxon rank sum test was appliedWe conclude that in comparison tonormal pregnancies, protein S is found elevated at least in the moderate, and protein C in the moderateas well as in the mild preeclamptic state