PLATELET-POOR PLASMA SEROTONIN IN NORMAL AND PREECLAMPTIC PREGNANCY

We determined serotonin concentrations in platelet-poor plasma (PPP) f rom 11 preeclamptic pregnant women and 11 normal pregnant women by HPL C with electrochemical detection after a concentration step. Serotonin concentrations in PPP are very low in comparison with those in platel ets, so it is very important to avoid in vitro release of serotonin fr om platelets. We therefore investigated three types of aryticoagulants , the method of blood sampling, and the influence of whether the first or second 10 mL of blood is assayed. The type of anticoagulant proved to be important, K3-EDTA giving the best results. The serotonin conce ntrations in PPP from the preeclamptic pregnant women were significant ly higher (P = 0.0001) than in the normal pregnant women: mean values +/- SD were 27.0 +/- 13.5 and 2.8 +/- 1.4 nmol/L, respectively. We sug gest that the measurement of serotonin in PPP might be helpful in stud y of the role of serotonin in the development of preeclampsia.