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Amniotic fluid platelet-activating factor (PAF) is elevated in patients with tocolytic failure and preterm delivery
R K Silver1, M S Caplan, A M Kelly
1Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, Evanston Hospital, IL 60201.
Prostaglandins
|February 1, 1992
Summary
Elevated amniotic fluid platelet-activating factor (PAF) levels are linked to preterm labor and tocolytic failure. Increased PAF may indicate a higher risk of preterm delivery, especially with ruptured membranes or infection.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Biology
- Biochemistry
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Platelet-activating factor (PAF) has biological properties suggesting a role in parturition.
- PAF presence in amniotic fluid correlates with labor, both normal and pathological.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between amniotic fluid PAF and preterm labor, tocolytic failure, and preterm delivery.
- To assess acetylhydrolase (AH), PAF's degradative enzyme, in correlation with PAF levels.
Main Methods:
- Amniotic fluid specimens (n=39) collected via amniocentesis from patients with preterm labor, intact/ruptured membranes, or term delivery.
- PAF levels measured using a 3H-serotonin release bioassay.
- AH activity measured using an in vitro enzyme assay.
Main Results:
- A 12-fold increase in PAF observed in preterm labor patients with tocolytic failure compared to those with arrested labor (p=.017).
- Elevated PAF levels in patients with ruptured membranes who delivered preterm versus those delivering at term.
- Highest PAF levels in patients with positive amniotic fluid gram stains, accompanied by low AH activity.
Conclusions:
- Increased amniotic fluid PAF production is associated with preterm labor, particularly following tocolytic failure.
- Elevated PAF may serve as a biomarker for predicting preterm delivery risk in specific obstetric conditions.