Determination of plasma adrenomedullin in normal pregnant women and pregnancy-induced hypertension patients

ObjectiveTo study the relationships between plasma adrenomedullin (ADM) and normal pregnancy and pathogenesis of pregnancy induced hypertension(PIH) . MethodsADM concentrations in the plasma from 10 normal non pregnant women,36 normal pregnant women (12 first,12 second,12 third trimester, respectively) and 30 cases of PIH (10 mild,10 moderate,10 severe, respectively) were determined by radioimmunoassay, and data were analyzed statistically. ResultsADM concentrations in the first, second and third trimester of normal pregnancy increased significantly than that of normal non pregnant women ( P 0 05) ADM concentration in the plasma of patierts with PIH was higher than that of third trimester pregnancy ( P 0 01). There were significant differences between mild, moderate, and severe PIH groups ( P 0 05). In the PIH groups, significant positive correlation was found between plasma ADM concentration and mean arterial pressure(r=0 822, P 0 05). Incidence of low birth weight infants was related to serious degree of PIH. ConclusionADM may involve in maintaining normal human pregnancy. ADM may increase compensatorily in the pathogenesis of PIH.