Plasma Lipids and Plasma and Urinary Acetyl Hydrolase Activity in Normal and Hypertensive Pregnancies

Abstract

Objective: In a previous study we showed neutrophil platelet-activating factor (PAF) to be reduced in preeclampsia, while plasma lyso-PAF was increased. The aim of the current study was to examine (PAF) acetyl hydrolase activity (the enzyme that degrades PAF) in plasma and urine of new groups of preeclamptic, hypertensive, and normal pregnant women, to see if alterations in the activity of this enzyme might explain the changes in neutrophil PAF and plasma lyso-PAF previously seen in severe preeclampsia.Methods: Plasma and urinary acetyl hydrolase activity was measured in 22 women with proteinuric preeclampsia and 22 age- and gestational-age-matched normal pregnant women. To determine whether alterations in acetyl hydrolase activity in preeclampsia were due to hypertension per se, a comparison was made to a group of 10 age- and gestational-age-matched pregnant women with uncomplicated essential hypertension. The pregnant women were studied prior to delivery and at 6 weeks and 6 months postpartum, and were ...