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Neurokinin B and nitric oxide plasma levels in pre-eclampsia and isolated intrauterine growth restriction

  1. Rosario D'Anna1,
  2. Giovanni Baviera1,
  3. Francesco Corrado1,
  4. Alessandra Crisafulli2,
  5. Riccardo Ientile3,
  6. Michele Buemi4,
  7. Francesco Squadrito2

Article first published online: 20 JUL 2004

DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2004.00257.x

Issue

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology

Volume 111, Issue 10, pages 1046–1050, October 2004

Additional Information

How to Cite

D'Anna, R., Baviera, G., Corrado, F., Crisafulli, A., Ientile, R., Buemi, M. and Squadrito, F. (2004), Neurokinin B and nitric oxide plasma levels in pre-eclampsia and isolated intrauterine growth restriction. BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 111: 1046–1050. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2004.00257.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Messina, Italy

  2. 2

    Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine and Pharmacology, University of Messina, Italy

  3. 3

    Department of Biochemestry, University of Messina, Italy

  4. 4

    Department of Internal Medicine, University of Messina, Italy

*Dr R. D'Anna, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Messina, via Setaioli, 15; 98121 Messina, Italy.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 20 SEP 2004
  2. Article first published online: 20 JUL 2004

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Objective  To verify if neurokinin B plasma level is increased in pre-eclampsia and IUGR. Also, to ascertain if there is a correlation between neurokinin B plasma level and nitric oxide production.

Design  A total of 90 pregnant women were studied. Thirty had a gestation complicated by pre-eclampsia and 30 by isolated IUGR; the other 30 were controls. In all patients, neurokinin B plasma level and nitric oxide metabolites (nitrites/nitrates) level were measured.

Setting  University, General Hospital, Messina, Italy.

Methods  Neurokinin B blood samples were taken at 33.5 weeks of gestation and at term. Samples for nitric oxide breakdown products were taken at delivery from the antecubital vein and then from the umbilical vein.

Results  Neurokinin B plasma levels in the pre-eclamptic and IUGR groups were significantly higher than controls. Nitric oxide metabolites levels in pre-eclamptic and IUGR patients were also higher than controls. Regression analysis showed a significant correlation among neurokinin B plasma values and nitric oxide metabolite levels either in pre-eclampsia, in IUGR or in the control group.

Conclusion  Neurokinin B could be involved in pregnancy haemodynamic adaptation via nitric oxide production. In pregnancies complicated with pre-eclampsia and IUGR, increased neurokinin B plasma level, correlated well with increased nitric oxide metabolite level, which may be a compensatory mechanism to improve blood flow to the uteroplacental unit.

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