Nitric oxide and peroxynitrite platelet levels in gestational hypertension and preeclampsia

Platelets. 2012;23(1):26-35. doi: 10.3109/09537104.2011.589543. Epub 2011 Jul 25.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate platelet nitric oxide (NO) pathways in women with Gestational Hypertension (GH), Preeclampsia (PE) and Controls. Platelet NO(x) and peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)) levels, inducible (iNOS) and endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and Nitrotyrosine expression (N-Tyr) in 30 women with GH, 30 with PE and 30 healthy pregnant controls, age, parity and gestational age-matched, were assessed. Platelet NO(x) and ONOO(-) levels were significantly higher in GH and PE vs. Controls, with higher levels in GH vs. PE. At the same way, iNOS and N-Tyr were significantly higher in GH and PE vs. Controls, with higher levels in GH vs. PE. Since GH expressed higher amount of NO metabolites and higher activation of iNOS compared to PE, we can hypothesize that the severity of hypertensive pathology is almost not related to only NO metabolism, this research confirmed that GH and PE are associated with marked changes in NO pathways; it is not easy to understand if they could be interpreted as causes or consequence of these pathologic states.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Platelets / metabolism*
  • Blood Platelets / pathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / blood*
  • Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced / pathology
  • Nitric Oxide / blood*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / metabolism
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III / metabolism
  • Peroxynitrous Acid / blood*
  • Pre-Eclampsia / blood*
  • Pre-Eclampsia / pathology
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Peroxynitrous Acid
  • Nitric Oxide
  • NOS2 protein, human
  • NOS3 protein, human
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III