Suppression of aldosterone and progesterone in preeclampsia

Preeclampsia (preE) is a hypertensive disorder seen in 3-10% of human pregnancies and is diagnosed by de novo onset of hypertension and proteinuria. Several research groups provided evidence for reduced aldosterone (Aldo) and progesterone (Prog) availability in preE. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of Aldo and Prog in preE.

Normal pregnant (NP; n = 39) and preE (n = 30) patients were recruited to have their blood drawn between 21 and 40 weeks of pregnancy. Two groups of rats were used in this study: NP rats (n = 10) and preE rats (n = 10), which were given weekly injections of desoxycorticosterone acetate and 0.9% saline to drink. Aldo and Prog levels were assayed in plasma and urine samples by ELISA kits.

In preE patients, the mean Aldo and Prog levels were suppressed (p < 0.05) compared to NP patients. NP patients exhibited a trend of increased levels of Aldo with an increase in gestational age; however, preE patients had the opposite trend. Both normal and preE patients exhibited a trend of increased levels of Prog with an increase in gestational age. The plasma and urinary Aldo and Prog levels were lower (p < 0.05) in preE rats compared to NP rats.

We have demonstrated using a rat model and patients that both Aldo and Prog are suppressed in preE and thus may be used as biomarkers for preE.