SERUM COLLAGEN-IV AND LAMININ LEVELS IN PREECLAMPSIA

Collagen IV is the main collagenous component localized in the trophob last and glomerular basement membrane. Serum collagen V reflects degra dation of basement membrane collagen. In this study, we measured colla gen IV levels in maternal serum, umbilical cord serum and amniotic flu id, both from preeclamptic and normal pregnant women, by radioimmunoas say. The serum collagen IV levels in the preeclamptic group were signi ficantly (p < 0.05) higher than those in the normal pregnant group. Th e amniotic fluid collagen IV level at term was found to be higher than maternal serum collagen IV. We postulate that collagen TV may have an important role in the maintenance of pregnancy. There was a significa nt positive correlation between maternal serum collagen IV levels and serum laminin levels. There was no significant correlation between mat ernal serum collagen IV level and blood pressure, urinary protein conc entration, or any other laboratory data. These results suggest that th ere is early damage of endothelial cells in preeclampsia.