Study of the role of L-arginine in the diagnosis of pregnancy-induced hypertension

Abstract

Background. Pregnancyinduced hypertension (PIH) is a significant health issue in pregnancy, complicating 710% of pregnancies. Larginine is an important mediator of vasodilation with a potential preventative role in pregnancyrelated hypertensive diseases. Aim of the study. The aim of the present study was to assess the differences in plasma Larginine concentrations in physiological pregnancies and pregnancies complicated with hypertension in the third trimester. Material and methods. Plasma concentration of Larginine was determined by ionexchange chromatography in 210 pregnant women (2541 weeks of gestation). Plasma Larginine concentration was expressed in μmol/cm3. Results. The mean Larginine concentration was significantly higher in physiological pregnancy (0.102) than in the PIH group (0.034). The analysis of plasma Larginine concentration in the subgroups of third trimester showed that Larginine concentration in the PIH group decreased with increasing stage of pregnancy (2534 hbd - 0.051; 3538 hbd - 0.03; 3941 hbd - 0.02). Larginine concentration in physiological pregnancies was the same in all subgroups (0.1). Conclusions. Larginine may have a role in the prevention and treatment of pregnancyinduced hypertension. Further welldesigned and adequately powered research is warranted.