[Changes of plasma levels of type C natriuretic peptide in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes and clinical significance of plasma type C natriuretic peptide (CNP) concentration in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH). METHODS: Plasma CNP levels were detected by radioimmunoassay in 89 patients with PIH, 193 normal pregnant women and 46 normal non-pregnant women. Outcomes were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance and Student-Nawman-Kenls (SNK) test. RESULTS: The plasma CNP levels in patients with PIH [(30.51 +/- 33.61) ng/L] were significantly higher than those of normal non-pregnant women and normal pregnancies [(17.15 +/- 3.82) ng/L, (19.43 +/- 5.13) ng/L, respectively; F = 13.61, P < 0.01]. There was significant difference among plasma CNP levels from patients with mild, moderate, and severe PIH (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The changes of plasma CNP levels are believed to be the reflection of patients in progression of PIH and can be used as a biochemical marker for judging the progression and guiding the therapy of PIH.