Urinary Serotonin and 5-Hydroxyindolacetic Acid Levels in Preeclampsia

Authors: PERVİN VURAL, CEMİL AKGÜL, MUKADDES CANBAZ, ALKAN YILDIRIM

Abstract: The role of serotonin in the pathogenesis of hypertension which is one of the main symptoms of preeclampsia is of growing importance. The levels of serotonin (5-Hydroxytryptamin or 5-HT) and its metabolite, 5-Hydroxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA) in twenty-four hour urine samples taken from severe preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women were determined by colon chromotography and spectrophotometry. In preeclamptic pregnant women there was a significant increase in 5-HT levels (P<0.01), a decrease in 5-HIAA levels (P<0.001) and decrease in the 5-HIAA serotonin ratio (P<0.001). These changes indicate that the serotonin metabolism is influenced to a great extent by preeclampsia or this opposite change may have an important role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Keywords: Preeclampsia, Serotonin (5-HT), 5-Hydoxyindolacetic acid (5-HIAA).

Full Text: PDF