Regulation of platelet aggregation in vitro by plasma adenosine in preeclampsia

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible role of plasma adenosine in platelet aggregation in preeclampsia, We measured the plasma adenosine concentration [ADO] and in vitro platelet aggregation in the third trimeste r of normal pregnant (n = 15) and preeclamptic women (n = 15), The mean pla sma [ADO] in preeclampsia was 0.68 +/- 0.08 muM (means +/- SEM), significan tly higher than in normal pregnancy (0.42 +/- 0.09 muM) (p < 0.05). In pree clampsia, platelet aggregation in response to collagen was approximately 40 % lower than that in norma I pregnancy (p < 0.05). There was a n inverse co rrelation between the plasma [ADO] and platelet aggregation in vitro (r = - 0.27, p < 0.05). These results suggest reduced platelet aggregation in pree clampsia may be at least in part attributed to an elevation of the the plas ma [ADO], Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel.