Changes of plasma endothelin and nitric oxide levels in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension

Objective:To study the changes in plasma endothelin and nitric oxide levels in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension.Methods:The plasma endothelin and nitric oxide concentrations were measured in 30 normal pregnant women and 38 women with pregnancy induced hypertension by radioimmunoassay.Results:The plasma endothelin level in the patients with pregnancy induced hypertension was increased significantly higher than that of normal pregnancy women(P0.01).The plasma nitric oxide level in the patients with pregnaney induced hypertension was decreased significantly lower than that of normal pregnancy women(P0.01).Significant positive correlation was found between plasma endothelin level and mean artery pressure, and significant negative correlaton was found between plasma nitric oxide level and mean artery pressure.Conclusion:The changes in plasma concentration of endothelin and nitric oxide in patients with pregnancy induced hypertension might play an important role in pathophysiology in pregnancy induced hypertension.