Elevation of immunoreactive platelet prostaglandin E and plasma prostaglandin F2 alpha in diabetic pregnancy.

Platelet prostaglandin (PG) E and plasma PGF2 alpha concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay methods and compared in non-pregnant and pregnant, normal and diabetic subjects. The blood samples were obtained in the follicular phase in the non-pregnant women and in the third trimester and after delivery in the pregnant women. The immunoreactive platelet PGE (IRPGE) levels were significantly higher in the pregnant diabetic women than in the normal non-pregnant and pregnant women and diabetic non-pregnant women. The immunoreactive plasma PGF2 alpha (IRPGF2 alpha) concentrations were significantly higher in the non-pregnant diabetic women than in the normal non-pregnant and pregnant women. During pregnancy, the plasma IRPGF2 alpha were further increased significantly in the diabetic subjects compared to the non-pregnant diabetics. Both the platelet IRPGE and plasma IRPGF2 alpha concentrations were higher in the pregnant diabetic subjects with retinopathy than in those without retinopathy. These findings suggest that pregnancy and diabetes influence the synthesis of PGE and PGF2 alpha in the platelets and plasma, respectively. The increased production of these prostaglandins are possible exacerbating factors of diabetic retinopathy during pregnancy.