[Changes of plasma levels of monoamines in normal pregnancy and pregnancy-induced hypertension women and their significance].

OBJECTIVE

To study the changes of plasma levels of monoamines in pregnant women and investigate the relationship between the monoamines and pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH).

METHODS

Using fluorescence spectrophotometry, we determined the contents of plasma monoamines in 130 normal pregnant (NP), 32 normal non-pregnant (NNP), and 58 PIH women.

RESULTS

The levels of norepinephrine (NE) in NP from the 2nd trimester to parturiency were more markedly increased than those of the 1st trimester and of NNP (P < 0.05). The levels of dopamine (DA) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) were also obviously increased at the 2nd and 3rd trimester respectively (P < 0.05). Compared with NP, the contents of DA in moderate and severe PIH were markedly and very markedly decreased respectively (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), while the levels of 5-HT in PIH increased significantly (P < 0.05). NE in PIH was also tending to increase.

CONCLUSION

The changes of monoamines may be one of the causes of small artery spasm in PIH.