Plasma endothelin levels in preeclampsia: Elevation and correlation with uric acid levels and renal impairment

The relationship between circulating endothelin-1, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 and soluble endoglin in preeclampsia

“…Endothelin-1 (ET-1) is a potent vasoconstrictive peptide secreted by endothelial and vascular smooth muscle cells. We 12 and others [13][14][15][16] have shown elevated ET-1 levels in PE. It is possible that endothelial dysfunction induced by the elevated sFLt-1 and sEng levels results in overproduction of ET-1, leading to hypertension and proteinuria.…”

Maternal serum of women with pre-eclampsia reduces trophoblast cell viability: evidence for an increased sensitivity to Fas-mediated apoptosis

“…Since the increase in blood pressure could not be elicited by re-transfusion 6 weeks postpartum, the authors concluded that patients with pre-eclampsia had increased sensitivity to pressor agent(s) which lasted about 1 week after delivery, but not as long as 6 weeks. Thereafter, considerable effort was devoted to the identification of the pressor agent responsible for this biological effect in the maternal circulation, and the focus over the years has encompassed the renin-angiotensin system [47][48][49][50] , noradrenaline (norepinephrine) 51,52 , vasopressin 53 , prostaglandins 54 , endothelin 55 and others 56 .…”

Differential localization of endothelin ETa and ETB binding sites in human placenta

“…The role of ET in pre-eclampsia is unclear, however, as contradictory reports exist concerning circulating ET levels in normotensive patients and those exhibiting this condition. Some reports have shown that prepro-ET-1 gene expression and plasma ET-1 levels are similar in both normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia (Benigni et al, 1992;Otani et al, 1991), whilst others have reported elevated maternal plasma ET-1 levels in pre-eclampsia implicating ET in the impaired renal function and placental blood flow associated with the disease (Mastrogiannis et al, 1991;Nova et al, 1991;Clark et al, 1992). In the present study, we were unable to detect a difference in either the relative density or proportion of vascular and villous ET receptor imating the equilibrium dissociation constant from saturation data obtained under these conditions was therefore considered inappropriate.…”

“…Circulating ET levels have been shown to increase during pregnancy and labour (Mastrogiannis et al, 1991); however, conflicting evidence exists concerning the possible role of ET in the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia. While some reports have indicated a further elevation of plasma ET levels in this condition (Nova et al, 1991;Clark et al, 1992), more recent studies have not found a significant difference in plasma ET levels between pre-eclamptic and normal pregnancies (Benigni et al, 1992) nor any correlation between plasma ET-1 concentration, blood pressure or renal function during toxaemic pregnancy (Otani et al, 1991).…”