SERUM LEVEL OF ENDOTHELIN-1 AND ENDOTHELIN-2 IN PREGNANCIES COMPLICATED BY EPH GESTOSIS

We examined the endothelin (ET)-1 and -2 concentration in peripheral b lood serum of 27 pregnant patients with EPH gestosis who underwent ces arean section between the 32nd and 38th week of gestation (group Gc). The control group consisted of 26 healthy pregnant women who underwent cesarean section due to fetal malpositions (group Kc). ET concentrati on in umbilical venous blood serum in 22 cases of EPH gestosis (group Gp) and 20 cases from the control group (group Kp) was measured after delivery. ET concentration was determined with use of a radioimmunoass ay method after extraction with column chromatography. The mean ET con centration was 41.55 pg/ml in group Gc and was significantly higher th an in group Kc - 6.77 pg/ml. The mean ET concentration in umbilical bl ood serum in group Gp was 50.59 pg/ml and was significantly higher tha n in Gc and Kp groups - where ET concentration was 17.11 pg/ml. These studies indicate that the high level of ET may play an important role in pathogenesis of EPH gestosis as well as having influence on uteropl acental and umbilicoplacental circulation.