Plasma prostanoids in pregnancy-induced hypertension.

The concentrations of 13,14-dihydro-15-oxo-prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGFM), 6-oxo-prostaglandin F1 alpha (6-oxo-PGF1 alpha) and thromboxane B2 (T X B2) were measured by radioimmunoassay in peripheral plasma from 183 pregnancy women attending routine antenatal clinics. A total of 141 patients (47 nulliparous, 94 parous) remained normotensive and had uncomplicated pregnancies. The results from this group showed that there was no significant difference in the concentration of any metabolite in relation to parity or gestational age. The concentrations (pmol/l; means +/- SD) were PGFM 373 +/- 105, 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha 391 +/- 104 and T X B2 373 +/- 121. Nineteen patients (12 nulliparous, 7 parous) who had pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) by the time of sampling (three) or who subsequently developed the symptom (mean time from sampling to diagnosis 11 weeks, range 1-24 weeks) had significantly higher levels of 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha (574 +/- 216; P less than 0.0005, Student's t-test) and T X B2 (603 +/- 268; P less than 0.0005). The concentrations in seven nulliparous patients with PIH and proteinuria were 656 +/- 276 for 6-oxo-PGF1 alpha and 754 +/- 228 pmol/l for T X B2.