Production of urinary 11-keto-thromboxane B2 in normal and hypertensive pregnancies

Urinary levels of 11-keto-thromboxane B2 (11-keto-TXB2), were elevated at all gestational ages (12-41 weeks) compared with non-pregnant levels. 11-keto-TXB2 levels exceeded those of TXB2 throughout pregnancy, which suggested that 11-keto-TXB2 may be the major urinary metabolite of TXA2 in normotensive pregnancy, as in the non-pregnant state. This was reversed in women with mild pregnancy-induced hypertension (P.I.H.), such that urinary levels of TXB2 were higher (p less than 0.01) than those of 11-keto-TXB2. Since the 11-thromboxane dehydrogenase enzyme is found in the placenta, the low levels of 11-keto-TXB2 may be the result of placental damage decreasing the activity of the enzyme. The relationship between these findings and the aetiology of P.I.H. is not clear, but changes in urinary 11-keto-TXB2 may be of use in identifying those women at risk of developing P.I.H.