Prognosis of Patients with Pregnancy Hypertensive Disorders Followed in University Hospital to Parzakou in 2020

Introduction: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are often accompanied by cardiovascular sequelae. The objective of this study was to describe the prognosis in the postpartum period of patients with HDP in Departmental University Hospital of Borgou CHUD-B from Parakou in 2020. Methods: The study was prospective with a descriptive and analytical design and was conducted from January 2020 to September 2020. Patients with HDP were recruited from the gynecology-obstetrics department and each followed for 3 months in the cardiology department. HDP was classified according to the International Society for the Study of Hypertension in Pregnancy, and blood pressure (BP) was taken according to WHO recommendations. Self-measurement of BP at home was performed to assess blood pressure control outside the hospital. Epidata 3.1 and SPSS 21 software were used for data processing and analysis. P values < 5% were considered statistically significant. Results: During the study period, the hospital frequency of HDP was 15.6%. The frequency of maternal complications in the postpartum period was 28% (severe hypertension: 23.2%;eclampsia: 3.6%;puerperal psychosis: 1.2%). At the end of the three-month follow-up, blood pressure returned to normal in 73.2% of cases;it persisted in 26.8% of women. Factors associated with persistence of hypertension after multivariate analysis were, overweight/obesity RRa 8.664 [1.566 - 47.941], (p = 0.013);family history of hypertension RRa 6.499 [1.493 - 28.289], (p = 0.013);history of hypertension in previous pregnancies RRa 7.764 [1.561 - 38.601], (p < 0.012). Conclusion: The frequency of HDP is not negligible at CHUD-B/A. The evolution of these HDP was marked in more than a quarter of cases by complications in the postpartum period followed by a persistence of hypertension 3 months after childbirth predicted by cardiovascular risk factors.

Abnormal Umbilical Doppler: Incidence and Neonatal Outcomes among Hypertensive Disorders in Pregnancy at KCMC: A Hospital-Based Prospective Cohort Study

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) are the most common maternal and perinatal health challenges. Globally, the incidence of HDP increased from 16.30 million to 18.08 million, with a total increase of about 10.9% from 1990 to 2019. Umbilical Doppler study in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy helps to predict neonatal outcomes and prevent neonatal and maternal morbidity and mortality. Objective: This study aims to determine the incidence of abnormal umbilical Doppler among hypertensive pregnant women, to identify the adverse neonatal outcomes associated with abnormal umbilical Doppler, and also to detect the diagnostic predictive values of umbilical Doppler to neonatal outcomes at KCMC. Material and methods: A hospital-based prospective cohort study included women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy from the gestational age of 28 weeks and above, followed up to delivery during the study period from August 2022 to March 2023. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between AUD and neonatal outcomes. Results: Out of 112 women with HDP, the incidence of abnormal umbilical Doppler was 38 (33.93%). Abnormal umbilical Doppler was associated with neonates with low birth weight aOR (95% of CI) of 4.52 (1.59 - 12.83) p = 0.005 and neonatal ICU admission 9.71 (2.90 - 32.43) p Conclusion: The incidence of abnormal umbilical Doppler is high in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy which is associated with an increase in neonatal low birth weight and neonatal ICU admissions, the sensitivity of abnormal umbilical Doppler in prediction of low birth weight and neonatal ICU admission is significant hence the routine use of umbilical Doppler assessment among hypertensive pregnant women is crucial.

Risk Prediction Model for Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy Based on Routine Laboratory Indicators and Risk Factors: A Retrospective Analysis

Background: Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (HDP) is a group of diseases in which pregnancy and elevated blood pressure coexist. There is still a lack of reliable clinical tools to predict the incidence of HDP. The purpose of this study was to establish and validate a nomogram prediction model for assessing the risk of HDP in pregnant women based on laboratory indicators and HDP risk factors. Method: A total of 307 pregnant women who were hospitalized in the obstetrics and gynecology department of our hospital were included in this study, and were randomly divided into a training cohort and validation cohort at a ratio of 7:3. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors for the development of HDP on laboratory indicators as well as risk factors for HDP in the training cohort of patients. The results of the multivariate regression model were visualized by forest plots. A nomogram was constructed based on the results of multivariate logistic regression to predict the risk of HDP in pregnant women. The validity of the risk prediction model was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), the consistency index (C-index), the calibration curve and the decision curve analysis (DCA). Results: BMI ≥ 25 Kg/m2, total cholesterol in early pregnancy, uric acid and proteinuria in late pregnancy were independent risk factors for HDP. The AUC and C-index of the nomogram constructed by the above four factors were both 0.848. The calibration curve is closely fitted with the ideal diagonal, showing a good consistency between the nomogram prediction and the actual observation of HDP. The DCA has demonstrated the great clinical utility of nomogram. Internal verification proves the reliability of the predicted nomograms. Conclusion: The BTUP nomogram model based on laboratory indicators and risk factors proposed in this study showed good predictive value for the risk assessment of HDP. It is expected to provide evidence for clinical prediction of the risk of HDP in pregnant women.

Association of maternal hypertensive disorders in pregnancy with infant neurodevelopment

Inconsistent findings have been reported regarding the associations between hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (HDP) and infant neurodevelopment. Leveraging data from the Jiangsu Birth Cohort, in the present study, we re-visited such associations in one-year-old infants from 2 576 singleton pregnancies and 261 twin pregnancies. We first assessed infant neurodevelopment by the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development Screening Test (the Third Edition), and then estimated its association with maternal HDP using general linear regression models and Poisson regression models. In singleton pregnancies, compared with mothers unexposed to HDP, infants born to mothers with chronic hypertension exhibited a lower score (β, −0.67;95% confidence interval [CI], −1.19-−0.15) and a higher risk of "non-optimal" gross motor development (risk ratio [RR], 2.21;95% CI, 1.02-4.79);in twin pregnancies, infants born to mothers with HDP exhibited lower scores in cognition (β, −0.49;95% CI, −0.96-−0.01), receptive communication (β, −0.55;95% CI, −1.03-−0.06), and gross motor (β, −0.44;95% CI, −0.86-−0.03), and at a higher risk of "non-optimal" gross motor development (RR, 2.12;95% CI, 1.16-3.88). These findings indicate that infants born to mothers with HDP may have inferior neurodevelopment outcomes at the age of one year.

Serum Calcium Ionised Rate and Materno-Perinatal Prognosis in Arterial Hypertension in Pregnancy at the Reference General Hospital of Panzi

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are among the leading causes of severe maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries. Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy are among the leading causes of severe maternal morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries, maternal hypocalcaemia being a factor favouring the onset of arterial hypertension during pregnancy. The aim was to determine the maternal and perinatal prognosis of patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy as a function of serum ionised calcium levels. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study of 114 patients with arterial hypertension during pregnancy or during pregnancy or in the postpartum period at the HGR/Panzi from 1 January 2021 to 30 June 2022, text was entered using Microsoft Office Word 2010 and the tables were analysed using Excel 2010. The data was analysed using SPSS version 20.0 and Stata 14.0. The associations of the variables were calculated using Pearson's chi-square test, with a significance threshold set at a value of p < 0.05. Study of risk factors, Odds ratios and their confidence intervals were estimated in a univariate analysis. The most determining factors were identified by multivariate analysis using the Forward conditional logistic regression model. Results: The mean gestational age was 34.43 ± 4.327 amenorheas weeks, 46.6% of patients had a vaginal delivery, 66.65% of which were indicated for maternal prognosis, maternal complications were associated with maternal hypocalcaemia in 81, 82% (P = 0.043) and an OR = 3.255 (P = 0.0158) threefold risk that the patient presenting with a complication is likely to be in a state of hypocalcaemia at 95% confidence index, and fetal prognosis was not significantly related to maternal calcaemia. Conclusion: Maternal hypocalcaemia is one of the factors that can influence maternal-foetal complications maternal-fetal complications, early management and prevention of this pathology is pathology is important to reduce maternal-fetal morbidity and mortality.

The Association between Polymorphism of TNF-α Gene and Hypertensive Disorder Complicating Pregnancy

To study whether the development of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy is associated with --308G→A, -850C→T mutation at promoter of TNF-α gene, the --308G→A, --850C→T polymorphism was examined in patients and healthy pregnant women by PCR-RFLP technique. The frequencies of genotype and allele were compared between the two groups. The results showed that with-308G→A polymorphism distribution, the allele frequency of TNF2 and the frequency of the genotype TNF2/1 in the patient group was significantly higher in the patient group than in control group （P〈0.05）. A significant difference in genotype distribution of --850C→T polymorphism was observed between the two groups. The allele frequencies of T in patient group was higher in the control group as compared with the patient group. The frequencies of CT and TT genotypes were lower in the patient group. It is concluded that the TNF2 allele of -308 is associated with the occurrence of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy, while T allele of--850 may be the protective factor against the development of the disease. TNF2/1 CC may be susceptibility genotype of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy.

Endogenous Ouabain in Hypertensive Disorder Complicating Pregnancy

Expression of endogenous ouabain in placenta and the concentrations of serum ET-1 and NO were examined in 30 patients with hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy （HDCP） and 30 healthy pregnant women to investigate the effect of endogenous ouabain on HDCP. Compared with the healthy pregnant group, the expression of endogenous ouabain dramatically increased in the HDCP groups （P〈0.01）. There was a significantly positive correlation between the expression of en- dogenous ouabain with ET-1 （r= 0.5567, P〈0.01）, while the correlation of endogenous ouabain and NO was significantly negative （r=-0.6895, P〈0.01）. As expected, the correlation between ET-1 and NO was negative （r=-0.7796, P〈0.01）. ET-1 concentrations of maternal and cord sera in HDCP groups were significantly higher in comparison with healthy pregnant group （P〈0.01）. On the contrast, NO concentrations were much lower in the maternal and cord sera of HDCP groups as compared with healthy pregnant group （P〈0.01）. Our data suggest that endogenous ouabain is directly involved in the nosogenesis of HDCP, with accompanying decreased NO and the elevated of ET-1.

The investigation for the relationship among serum leptin, erythrocyte membrane Ca^(2+)-ATPase activity and hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy

Objective： To study the significance of Leptin and the activity of erythrocyte membrane Ca^2＋-ATPase（EMCA） in the development of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy. Methods： Radioimmunoassay was used to test the level of serum Leptin, and the activity of EMCA was determined chemically in 38 pregnant women with hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy and 36 normotensive pregnant women. Results： The level of serum Leptin in hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy（gestational hypertension： 13.76 ± 3.46 ng/ml; preeclampsia： 15.76 ± 5.47 ng/ml; eclampsia： 18.32 ± 6.38 ng/ml）was significantly higher than that in normotensive pregnant women （11.33 ± 2.93 ng/ml） ,respectively. The average EMCA activity of patients with hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy （gestational hypertension： 1.65 ± 0.24 μmol·pi/mg.h ; preeclampsia： 1.37 ± 0.19 μ mol·pi/mg·h;eclampsia：1.12 ± 0.14 μmol·pi/mg·h） was significantly lower than that of normotensive pregnant women（1.83 ± 0.38 μ mol·pi/mg·h）,respectively. There was a negative correlation between the level of serum Leptin and the activity of RMCA in hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy （r = -0.63）. Conclusion： Inhibition of EMCA activity of erythrocyte in hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy may increase cytoplasmic free calcium, which contributes to the development of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy. The negative correlation between the level of serum Leptin and the activity of EMCA, also suggested that serum Leptin and the activity of EMCA may play a role in the development of hypertensive disorder complicating pregnancy.

Changes and Clinical Value of Serum Cortisol Levels in Patients with Hypertensive Disorder in Pregnancy

Objective:To investigate the changes and the corresponding clinical value of serum cortisol levels in patients with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy.Methods:In this study,90 patients with different degrees of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy who were admitted from August 2018 to August 2019 in our hospital were set as the research objects.90 cases were grouped according to the diagnostic criteria in Obstetrics and Gynecology,including 30 cases in each of the hypertension group,the preeclampsia group,and the eclampsia group.Another 30 healthy pregnant women were selected as the control group.The serum cortisol levels of pregnant women in the above four groups were measured.Results:Compared with the control group,the serum cortisol levels in the other three groups were significantly increased.In perinatal outcome,compared with the control group,the three groups of patients had an increase in Apgar score,preterm birth,stillbirth rate,growth restriction rate and neonatal asphyxia rate.There were significant differences between groups(P<0.05),and showed as gestational hypertension<preeclampsia<eclampsia.Conclusion:With the exacerbation of hypertensive disorders during pregnancy,the serum cortisol level continues to increase,which has a serious adverse effect on the prognosis of the perinatal infants.

Iron supplementation for non-anaemic pregnant women and the incidence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy:A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective:To investigate effect of iron supplementation on the risk of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy in non-anaemic pregnant women.Methods:A literature search was conducted using three categories of terms with its synonyms or related words:"iron","supplement",“hypertensive disorders in pregnancy”through MEDLINE(OVID),CINAHL,PubMed,Cochrane Library,Scopus,Web of Science,ICTRP,and ClinicalTrials.gov,and manual search of references was used in seven potential resources.The inclusion criteria were randomized control trials(RCTs),published in English,full-text available,having healthy pregnant women without anaemia for study participants,and having hypertensive disorders in pregnancy at the end of pregnancy as the outcome.The risk of bias assessment tool was used for quality appraisal.Meta-analysis was conducted by calculating the fixed and random effects of the odds ratio(OR)for iron supplementation among non-anaemic pregnant women compared with the incidence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy.The range of the study’s estimation accuracy was reflected by a 95%confidence interval(CI).Results:Four RCTs were included in the meta-analysis.The pooled results showed that iron supplementation possibly had no effect on the incidence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy(OR 0.93,95%CI 0.81-1.07;P=0.30),gestational hypertension(OR 1.37,95%CI 0.69-2.73;P=0.36)as well as on the development of preeclampsia(OR 1.45,95%CI 0.71-2.97;P=0.31).Conclusions:Iron supplementation has no effect on the incidence of hypertension in non-anaemic pregnant women.In general,there is a lack of evidence for the association between iron supplementation and the incidence of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy among non-anaemic pregnant women,and further studies are needed.

Risk factors for hypertension in pregnant women in Indonesia:A cross-sectional study

Objective:To determine the risk factors for hypertension in pregnant women,which is a significant cause of maternal and newborn morbidity and mortality in Indonesia.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study used secondary data from the 2018 Indonesian Basic Health Research.Pregnant women aged 15-54 years in the second and third trimesters were eligible.The history of hypertension in pregnant women was the dependent variable.The independent variables consisted of the demographic characteristics of pregnant women including pregnancy age,gestational age,education,occupation,place of residence,and region of residence.This study used multivariate logistic regression to determine the risk factors for hypertension in pregnant women in Indonesia.Results:.Among 6479 respondents included in this study,11(7.0%)had a history of diabetes mellitus(DM)and hypertension compared to pregnant women who did not have a history of DM(0.1%).The dominant risk factors for hypertension in pregnant women in Indonesia include maternal age above 35 years(OR 3.67,95%CI 2.54-5.32),third-trimester pregnancy(OR 2.40,95%CI 1.72-3.35),primigravida(OR 1.78,95%CI 1.19-2.68),excessive consumption of salty foods(OR 1.44,95%CI 1.03-2.03),and diabetes mellitus(OR 10.20,95%CI 3.04-32.23).Conclusions:Great efforts must be made to increase public awareness about the dangers of hypertension in pregnant women through early diagnosis and treatment,education on sodium intake,and appropriate care for pregnant women with DM.

Status,outcome,and related factors of postpartum hypertension in the Shanghai community

BACKGROUND Postpartum hypertension poses a considerable health risk.Despite research on gestational hypertension,comprehensive studies focusing on postpartum hypertension in communities are limited.Understanding its prevalence and associated risk factors is crucial for effective prevention and management.AIM To provide insights for postpartum hypertension’s prevention and management.METHODS In total,3297 women who gave birth between June 2021 and December 2022 in Xuhui District,Shanghai were selected.Blood pressure was measured thrice within one month post-delivery during home visits.Eighty-six women with hypertension were followed up for four months to analyze hypertension persistence and its related risk factors.A predictive model for persistent postpartum hypertension was established and verified using the Nomo diagram model.RESULTS Hypertension prevalence 1 month post-delivery was 2.61%(86/3297).Among the 86 pregnant women,32(37.21%)had persistent hypertension at four months post-delivery.Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that older age[odds ratio(OR)=1.212;95%confidence interval(CI):1.065–1.380]and higher pre-pregnancy body mass index(BMI)(OR=1.188;95%CI:1.006–1.404)were associated with hypertension(OR=10.781;95%CI:1.006–1.404)during pregnancy.A 95%CI of 1.243–93.480 is a risk factor for persistent postpartum hypertension.The Nomograph model accurately predicted the risk of persistent postpartum hypertension,demonstrating high precision.CONCLUSION In Xuhui,older age,higher pre-pregnancy BMI,and gestational hypertension are risk factors for persistent postpartum hypertension.Our prediction model can identify high-risk individuals,thereby improving patient quality of life.

Hypertension and associated complications in pregnant women with chronic kidney disease

The growing incidence of obesity and the rising trend of increased age during pregnancy have led to a high number of pregnant women with chronic kidney disease(CKD).Chronic hypertension is commonly associated with CKD and is not only the result of renal damage but is also the cause of declining renal function.Pregnancy and its unique physiological adaptations are affected by a decrease in the filtration capacity of the kidneys.Preeclampsia is a disorder of the vascular endothelium and is exacerbated by endothelial dysfunction resulting from CKD.Blood pressure targets must be strictly maintained owing to overlapping disease pathogenesis and to minimize cardiovascular damage.Moreover,preexisting renal dysfunction poses a challenge in identifying superimposed preeclampsia,which alters the management strategies in pregnancy.Fetal outcomes in patients with CKD are considerably affected by the presence of hypertension.This review is expected to aid in developing a focused and individualized treatment plan for hypertension in pregnant women with CKD to improve pregnancy outcomes and preserve postpartum renal function.

Fundus changes in pregnancy induced hypertension

AIM: To determine the prevalence of retinal changes in pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) and any association between the retinal changes and blood pressure, proteinuria, and severity of the disease. METHODS: All the patients admitted with diagnosis of PIH were included in this study. Age, race, gravida, gestation period, blood pressure, and proteinuria were noted from the case records. After taking history for any eye symptoms, fundus examination was done after dilating the pupils with direct ophthalmoscope in the ward itself. All the findings were noted on a data sheet, and were analyzed using SPSS programme. RESULTS: A total of 78 patients of PIH were examined. Majority (75.6%) were Malays. The mean age of patients was 30.2 years (range 21-45 years). The gestation period ranged from 25 weeks to 41 weeks; 34 (43.5%) were primi gravida. Thirty (38.4%) patients had mild preeclampsia, 46 (59%) had severe preeclampsia and 2(2.5%) had eclampsia. Retinal changes (hypertensive retinopathy) were noted in 46 (59%) patients --- grade I in 41 (52.6%) and grade II in 5 (6.4%). Haemorrhages or exudates or retinal detachment were not seen in any patient. There was statistically significant positive association of retinal changes and blood pressure (P =0.001), proteinuria (P =0.018) and severity of the PIH (P =0.024). CONCLUSION: Retinal changes (grade I and II hypertensive retinopathy) were seen in 59% of patients with PIH and they were significantly associated with blood pressure, proteinuria and severity of the disease. Fundus examination helps in assessing the severity of PIH.

Changes in Number and Biological Function of Endothelial Progenitor Cells in Hypertension Disorder Complicating Pregnancy

To examine the changes in number and function of endothelial progenitor cells （EPCs） from peripheral blood （PB） in hypertension disorder complicating pregnancy （HDCP）, 20 women with HDCP and 20 normal pregnant women at the third trimester were studied. Mononuclear cells （MNCs） from PB were isolated by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. EPCs were identified by positive expression of both CD34 and CD133 under fluorescence microscope and positive expression of factor Ⅷ as shown by immunocytochemistry. The number of EPCs was flow-cytometrically determined. Proliferation and migration of EPCs were measured by MTT assay and modified Boyden chamber assay, respectively. The adhesion activity of EPCs was detected by counting the number of the adherent cells. The results showed that, compared with normal pregnant women, the number of EPCs was significantly reduced in HDCP （4.29%±1.21% vs 15.32%±2.00%, P〈0.01）, the functional activity of EPCs in HDCP, such as proliferation （13.45%±1.68% vs 18.45%±1.67%）, migration （37.25±7.28 cells/field vs 67.10±9.55 cells/field） and adhesion activity （20.65±5.19 cells/field vs 34.40±6.72 cells/filed） was impaired （P〈0.01）. It is concluded that the number and function of EPCs are significantly decreased in HDCP.

Correlation Study of Color Doppler Examination of Deep Veins of Both Lower Extremities Combined with Fibrinolysis System in Hypertension during Pregnancy

Objective: To investigate the correlation between deep static color Doppler ultrasound of both lower extremities combined with fibrinolytic system detection in pregnancy-induced hypertension. Methods: A total of 70 normal pregnant women, 70 pregnant women with hypertension during pregnancy, and 50 healthy non-pregnant women in the same period were selected as the research objects. The deep veins of both lower limbs were examined by Rili Erlangshen’s color Doppler ultrasound diagnostic instrument (CDU), and the fibrinolysis system was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method and automatic hemagglutination analyzer. Results: Compared with the non-pregnant group, the inner diameters of the left/right femoral vein (CFV) and popliteal vein (POV) in the normal pregnancy group and the pregnancy-induced hypertension group were significantly widened, and the peak blood flow spectrum was significantly reduced. The difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01);FIB, PLG, t-PA, PAI, D-Dimer were significantly increased, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01);Compared with the normal pregnancy group, the inner diameter of the left/right femoral vein (CFV) in the hypertensive pregnancy group was significantly wider than that in the normal pregnancy group, and the peak value of the left/right POV blood flow spectrum was significantly lower than that in the normal pregnancy group, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01), while the left/right popliteal vein (POV) inner diameter, left/right CFV blood flow peak value did not change significantly from the normal pregnancy group, and the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05);FIB, PLG, PAI, D-Dimer of the hypertensive disease group during pregnancy significantly increased, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.01), while t-PA was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Normal pregnant women have a hypercoagulable state compared with healthy non-pregnant women, and pregnant women with hypertension during pregnancy are more likely to be in a pre-thrombotic state than pregnant women with normal pregnancy. Deep vein CDU examination of both lower extremities combined with blood fibrinolysis monitoring is of great value in the prevention and treatment of hypertension during pregnancy.

Cardiac Myeloperoxidase Activity Is Elevated in Hypertensive Pregnant Rats

Myeloperoxidase（MPO） is released from activated neutrophils. The inflammation in preeclampsia was found to be associated with endothelial dysfunction. We hypothesized that cardiac and circulating MPO levels are elevated in hypertensive pregnancy. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate were measured on pregnancy days 14, 16, 18 and 20 in normal pregnant and hypertensive pregnant rats. Left and right ventricle weights, the number of viable fetuses, litter size, fetal and placenta weights were recorded on gestational day 21. Circulating and cardiac MPO activities, soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1（sFlt-1） and vascular endothelial growth factor（VEGF） and nitric oxide（NO） were detected. The results showed increases in cardiac（left, but not right ventricle） and circulating MPO activities, and concomitantly lower number of viable fetuses, litter size, and fetal and placenta weights, and decreases in NO in hypertensive pregnant rats. Also, the increases in circulating sFlt-1 and VEGF were found in hypertensive pregnant group. In conclusion, maternal and fetal detrimental changes along with increases in circulating sFlt-1 and VEGF in hypertensive pregnancy may be associated with increases in cardiac and circulating MPO activities, confirming the causative role of inflammatory response in preeclampsia.

Effects of Aspirin on Pregnancy Outcome and Serum Endothelin-1 and Thrombomodulin Levels in Pregnancy Patients with Chronic Hypertension

Objective: To investigate the effect of aspirin on pregnancy outcome and serum levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and thrombomodulin (TM) in pregnancy patients with chronic hypertension. Methods: Selected patients with chronic hypertension (mild to moderate) during pregnancy, who were enrolled and delivered in the Beijing Tongren Hospital Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology between January 1, 2019 and December 30, 2020. The patients were randomly divided into control group (60) and experimental group (60). The control group was treated with labetalol and the test group was treated with labetalol and aspirin. The therapeutic effect and pregnancy outcome of the two groups were compared. The serum levels of ET-1 and TM were measured before treatment and one week after treatment. Results: Systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased significantly one week after treatment in the two groups (P < 0.05). One week after treatment, the values of ET-1 and TM in the experimental group were significantly lower than those in the Control Group, the difference is statistically significant (P < 0.05). The incidence of Preeclampsia, intrauterine growth retardation, oligohydramnios, placental abruption, Cesarean section and preterm birth in the experimental group was significantly lower than that in the control group. There was significant difference between the two groups, especially Preeclampsia and Intrauterine Growth Retardation (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Besides routine treatment, aspirin can improve the outcome of pregnant women with chronic hypertension, which may be related to the regulation of ET-1 and TM by aspirin.

Expression of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Traffic Inducer in the Placenta of Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

The expression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase traffic inducer （NOSTRIN） in the placenta of the patients with pregnancy induced hypertension （PIH） was detected and its role in the pathogenesis of PIH was studied. The pathological changes in placental vessels were observed by HE staining. NO2-/NO3- , the stable metabolic end products of NO, was measured with nitrate reductase. The eNOS activity in placental tissues was assayed by spectrophotometry. Western blot analysis was applied to detect NOSTRIN expression. The incidence of thickening and fibronoid necrosis of placental vessels was significantly higher in women with PIH than in the normal group （P〈 0.01）. The levels of placental NO2-/NO3- in PIH patients （27. 53±7.48 μmol/mg） were significantly lower than in normal group （54. 27±9.53 μmol/mg, P〈0.01）. The activity of eNOS was significantly decreased in PIH group （12. 826±3.61 U/mg） as compared with that in normal group （21. 72±3.83 U/mg, P〈0.01）. Western blot analysis revealed that both groups expressed 58 kD NOSTRIN, but the protein level was significantly higher in women with PIH than in the normal group （P〈0.01）. A significant negative correlation existed between the expression of NOSTRIN protein and the activity of eNOS in placental tissue of women with PIH （r=-0.57, P〈0.01）. It was concluded that the level of NOSTRIN expression in placenta of women with PIH was increased, which may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PIH.

Immunohistochemical Analysis of Globulin and Complements in Blood Vessels of Placental Villi during Pregnancy Induced Hypertension

The changes of globulin and complements in placental villi blood vessels were immunohistochemically studied in pregnancy induced hypertension patients and normal pregnant patients by a randomized , double-blind approach. The immunostaining of IgG, IgE, C3, C4, and 5-HT was seen in the villous blood vessels and the helicine arteries of pregnancy induced hypertensive placental villi.The strong positive rates were 100%, 90%, 100%, 100% and 90% in seriouspregnancy induced hypertensive patients, accompanied by aggregation of mastocytes and vasculopathy of villous blood vessels and the helicine arteries. It is concluded that the immuno-pathological damage took place in the villous blood vessels and helicine arteries, resulting in vasculopathy and villous regressive changesand that the immunological factors were closely related to pregnancy induced hypertension.