B. Schiessl, C. J. Strasburger, M. Bidlingmaier, M. Spannagl, B. Ugele, Franz Kainer
Decreasing resistance in the maternal uterine and peripheral arterial system is apparently unrelated to plasma and urinary levels of nitrite/nitrate and cyclic-guanosinmonophosohate during the course of normal pregnancies
Aims: The aim of the presented study was to clarify the
relationship between the pulsatility index of the uterine
arteries and the maternal cubital artery and peripheral
concentrations of the metabolites of nitric oxide (NO)
and its second messenger cyclic guanosinmonophophate
(cGMP) during the normal course of pregnancy and
postpartum.
Methods: 49 uncomplicated pregnancies were investigated
every 4–6 weeks until delivery, 29 of them were
additionally investigated postpartum. Paralleling each
Doppler sonografic investigation maternal blood and
urine samples were taken. The measurements of nitrite/nitrate and cGMP were performed with a colorimetric
and radio immuno assay.
We demonstrate a significant decrease of the PI of the
uterine arteries and of the cubital artery with inverse
correlation to advancing gestational age.
Results: The concentrations of nitrite/nitrate and cGMP
remain stable during gestation and do not correlate to
the PI of the uterine and cubital artery. Postpartum a re-increase in the uterine and peripheral resistance can be
shown. The concentrations of urinary cGMP and nitrite/nitrate as well as plasma cGMP remain unchanged,
whereas plasma nitrite/nitrate decreases postpartum.
Conclusions: The status of NO biosyntheses in normal
pregnancy remains controversial. We hypothesize further
systemically acting mediators which contribute to
the decreasing vascular resistance.
Journal of Perinatal Medicine, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 1619-3997
Volume: 31, 07/2003
Pages: 281 - 286
Show full article (external site)
Show all available items of this journal
Search
