Clausen T, Djurovic S, Brosstad F R, Berg K, Henriksen T
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aker University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2000 Feb;182(2):321-5. doi: 10.1016/s0002-9378(00)70218-3.
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether indications of activation of the maternal endothelium were present at 18 weeks' gestation in women in whom preeclampsia eventually developed.
A total of 2190 blood samples were obtained at 18 weeks' gestation. Circulating levels of von Willebrand factor and soluble vascular adhesion molecule 1, soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1, and E-selectin were assayed in 71 women with eventual preeclampsia and 71 control subjects.
E-selectin and von Willebrand factor levels were similar between the 2 groups. Soluble vascular adhesion molecule 1 concentration was significantly lower in the women with eventual preeclampsia (median, 649.0 ng/mL vs 762.4 ng/mL; P <.001), whereas soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 concentration was significantly higher (median, 239.8 ng/mL vs 178.3 ng/mL; P <.001).
We found no indications of endothelial activation at 18 weeks' gestation in women in whom preeclampsia later developed. However, decreased serum concentration of soluble vascular adhesion molecule 1 and increased serum concentration of soluble intercellular adhesion molecule 1 may reflect the disturbed placentation known to be associated with the development of preeclampsia.
