Preeclampsia and calcium adenosine triphosphatase activity of red blood cell ghosts

Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1994 Nov;171(5):1361-5. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(94)90161-9.

Abstract

Objective: The current work was undertaken to study the calcium adenosine triphosphatase activity of red blood cell membranes from pregnant women with preeclampsia.

Study design: Six normotensive and six preeclamptic pregnant women at 38 to 39 weeks of gestation were studied. The diagnosis of preeclampsia was made on the basis of blood pressure (> 140/90 mm Hg), proteinuria (> 0.5 gm of urinary protein per day), or edema. Hemoglobin-free red blood cell ghosts were prepared from the heparinized blood samples and were used to determine the calcium adenosine triphosphatase activity.

Results: It was found that the calcium adenosine triphosphatase activity of preeclamptic women is diminished by about 50% compared with that of normotensive pregnant women.

Conclusion: A diminution of the calcium adenosine triphosphatase activity of erythrocytes in preeclampsia might be an indication that the in vivo activity of the calcium pump of these cells is diminished, which could, in turn, drive the cells to increase their cytoplasmic free calcium concentration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calcium-Transporting ATPases / blood*
  • Culture Media / metabolism
  • Erythrocyte Membrane / enzymology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Osmolar Concentration
  • Pre-Eclampsia / blood*
  • Pregnancy
  • Reference Values
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / blood

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • Calcium-Transporting ATPases
  • Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase
  • Calcium