Monno R, Gesualdo L, Ranieri E, Grandaliano G, Ferramosca E,
Loverro G, et al
Pre-eclampsia: A pathogenetic role for nitric oxide
synthase
33rd Congress of the Eur Dial Transplant Assoc
Nephrol Dial Transplant
(Jun) 11:A25 1996
Pre-eclampsia, a human pathology of the third trimester of pregnancy, is
characterized by an increased vascular response to vasoconstrictors. Thus, a
pathogenetic involvement of endothelial-derived constricting and relaxing
factors has been suggested.
To confirm this hypothesis, Monno et al. have studied ET-1, cNOS and iNOS
gene and protein expression in placentas from women with normal pregnancy,
pregnancy with hypertension and pre-eclampsia. They observed that while
normal placentas intensely express cNOS mRNA and NADPH diaphorase, pre-
eclamptic placentas show a clear reduction of both signals. The expression of
cNOS and NADPH diaphorase was mainly localized into the syncytiotrophoblast
layer. No significant variations were found in ET-1 and iNOS expression among
the groups.
Comment: The authors conclude that the reduction of cNOS gene
expression, observed in pre-eclamptic placentas, seems to support a
pathogenetic involvement of nitric oxide in the modulation of uteroplacental
vascular tone in pre-eclampsia, while the role played by ET-1 remains to be
elucidated. (Loreto Gesualdo, M.D., Altamura, Italy)
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33rd Congress of the Eur Dial Transplant Assoc
H: Special problems :
Women