Plasma Levels of Fibronectin and Prostacyclin Metabolite in Peripartum Preeclamptic Women

Abstract

Plasma fibronectin and prostacyclin levels have been reported to vary in preeclamptic women when compared with pregnant control women. Elevation of fibronectin and deficiency of prostacyclin have been postulated to be due to endothelial cell disruption or dysfunction. Eighteen preeclamptic women and 19 normal pregnant controls were evaluated for plasma levels of fibronectin and the prostacyclin metabolite 6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-keto-PGF1 alpha). 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and fibronectin plasma levels in patients were significantly different from control patients, with preeclamptic patients exceeding control subjects. Five patients had serial samples of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha prior to, during, and after intravenous magnesium sulfate therapy and no consistent effect was noted. No correlation existed between fibronectin and 6-keto-PGF1 alpha levels or between either compound and platelet count or liver function tests. Despite an overall elevation of fibronectin in preeclamptic patients, two patients with the hemolysis, elevated liver tests, and low platelet count syndrome showed low normal fibronectin levels coinciding with thrombocytopenia, hemolysis, and liver dysfunction. The magnitude of fibronectin elevation may therefore not predict the severity of preeclampsia. The significance of these findings is discussed.

The value of antithrombin-III and fibronectin in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

“…SHAKLIN and SIBAI [21] by electron-microscopy and ROBERTS et al [24,25] by serum of preeclamptic patients in-vivo and in-vitro proved that endothelial cell damage is the basic pathology in pregnancy induced hypertension. Fibronectin as a marker of endothelial cell injury has been shown to be high in pregnancy induced hypertension [2,4,20].…”

“…Dies konnten Shaklin und Sibai [21] elektronenmikroskopisch und Roberts et al [24,25] im Serum von präe-klamptischen Patientinnen in vivo und in vitro zeigen. Es wurde nachgewiesen, daß das Fibronectin als Marker der Verletzung der Endothelzelle beim schwangerschaftsinduzierten Hypertonus erhöht ist [2,4,20]. Auch wir fanden erhöhte Fibronectinspiegel.…”

“…SHAKLIN et SIBAI [21], ROBERTS et autres [24,25] ont etabli, les premiers par analyse au microscope electronique, les seconds par analyse in vivo et in vitro du serum des patientes preeclamptiques que Γ alteration des cellules endotheliales etait la pathologic basique de I'hypertension provoquee par la grossesse. En tant que marqueur de Γ alteration des cellules endotheliales, la fibronectine doit etre elevee dans I'hypertension provoquee par la grossesse [2,4,20]. Les valeurs elevees de fibronectine du plasma dans I'hypertension provoquee par la grossesse etablies par notre etude viennent confirmer la theorie de Γ alteration des cellules endotheliales.…”

Consequences of magnesium deficiency on the enhancement of stress reactions; preventive and therapeutic implications (a review).

“…Watson et al [75] found that eclamptic patients have depressed PGI2 levels; whereas serum from MgS04-treated eclamptic patients increased release of PGI2 by cultured (human umbilical vein) endothelial cells and it overcame thrombin induced-platelet adhesion to endothelium. Calvin et al [118] found that plasma fibro nectin, released from damaged endothelium, was higher in 18 preeclamptic women than in 19 normal pregnant con trols. However, the metabolite of PGI2, 6-keto-PGFlx which they suggested is possibly a poor index of PGI2 at the microvascular level was also higher.…”