[Immunohistochemical locating and quantitative studies of 5-hydroxytryptamine and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor in placental villi of patients with pregnancy induced hypertension].

OBJECTIVE

To supply evidence of relationship between pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor (5-HTR) synthesized by placental villi.

METHODS

Five normal placentas and 15 placentas of PIH were used for studying localization and quantification of 5-HT and 5-HTR in placental villi by using immunohistochemical and in situ quantitative methods.

RESULTS

Syncytiotrophoblasts and capillary endothelium in placental villi of control group showed 5-HT and 5-HTR positive immunoreaction, but in placental villi of group with PIH, syncytiotrophoblasts appeared 5-HT and 5-HTR weak positive immunoreaction and capillary endothelium appeared 5-HT and 5-HTR weak positive or negative immunoreaction. The results of in situ quantitation showed that the content of 5-HT and 5-HTR in placental villus syncytiotrophoblasts of group with PIH were significantly lower than those in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

The content of 5-HT and its receptor in placenta may be related to PIH.