Increased contents of phospholipids, cholesterol, and lipid peroxides in decidua basalis in women with preeclampsia

OBJECTIVES: Accelerated recovery from preeclampsia has been reported after postpartum curettage. Lipid deposition in decidual spiral arteries (acute a therosis) is a histologic feature of preeclampsia. Increased tissue content of lipids is associated with enhanced formation of lipid peroxides, which are compounds that may induce endothelial dysfunction. We hypothesized that the content of lipids and lipid peroxides is elevated in decidua basalis t issues of women with preeclampsia compared with those of women with unevent ful pregnancies. STUDY DESIGN: Decidua basalis tissues were obtained with a Vacuum aspiratio n technique during cesarean delivery from 30 preeclamptic and 34 uneventful pregnancies. Total cholesterol, phospholipids, triglycerides, free fatty a cids, and lipid peroxides were quantified. RESULTS: Significantly elevated contents of phospholipids, total cholestero l, and lipid peroxides were found in preeclamptic decidua basalis tissues, whereas the contents of triglycerides and free fatty acids did not differ s ignificantly from those of the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Decidua basalis tissues, with their elevated lipid content, ma y be a source of lipid compounds that can cause maternal endothelial dysfun ction in preeclampsia.