Prostacyclin-like, and kallikrein activity of amniotic fluid in pre-eclampsia

Amniotic fluid from patients with pre-eclampsia was compared with samples obtained from normotensive controls with respect to the inhibiting effect on platelet aggregation (PGI2-like activity) and activating effect on the plasma kallikrein assay and Russell's viper venom test. After 39 weeks gestation, amniotic fluid from pre-eclamptic patients showed significantly less PGI2-like activity ( p less than 0.01) and significantly lower kallikrein levels (p less than 0.01) than that from normotensive controls. The study suggests that the biosynthesis and release of PGI2-like activity and kallikrein may be impaired in pre-eclampsia. In view of the association of pre-eclampsia with intravascular clotting, the highly significant reduction of PGI2-like activity seems important and appears to warrant a clinical trial of prostacyclin administration in this disorder.