DECREASED FIRST-TRIMESTER URIC-ACID PRODUCTION IN FUTURE PREECLAMPTICPATIENTS

The relationship between first trimester uric acid production and late r development of pregnancy induced hypertensive disorders (PIHD) was i nvestigated. An anti-oxidant role for uric acid has been mentioned. Si nce uric acid and fibronectin (PF) are both markers of preeclampsia, t he relationship between these two substances was also studied. Control s (n = 72) and patients with PIHD (n = 120) were selected. Uric acid w as measured in serum and 24-hours urine samples (uric acid excretion) and PF in blood plasma in 270 nulliparous women at 13 +/- 2 weeks of g estation. Uric acid excretion was significantly lower in the first tri mester in a group of patients who later develop PIHD as compared to pa tients who remain normotensive (p < 0.05), especially when corrected f or body weight (p < 0.01). Patients with elevated PF levels in the fir st trimester showed a significantly lower uric acid excretion than pat ients with normal PF levels (p < 0.05). The data show diminished uric acid production in patients who will likely develop preeclampsia sugge sting an impaired anti-oxidant production in the first trimester This observation fits well with the hypothesis that an imbalance between an ti-oxidant and oxidants prays an important role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.