Elevated amniotic fluid nitric oxide levels of metabolites in pregnant women with intraamniotic infection

C. D. Hsu, K. Aversa, H. Barsheertf, E. Meaddough, S. F. Hong', I. S. Lef, B. C. Jones, J. A. Copel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Bacterial infection induces macrophage and neutrophil activation to produce nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is unstable and breaks down rapidly to nitrate and nitrite. We compared the amniotic fluid nitric oxide metabolites in pregnant women with and without intraamniotic infection (IAI). STUDY DESIGN: Amniocentesis was performed on 7H pregnant women with preterm contractions, labor, or rupture of membranes. Fifteen patients had IAI and 61 did not. IAI was defined as the presence of a positive amniotic fluid culture. Amniotic fluid gram stain, glucose, neutrophil counts, leukocyte esterase activity, creatinine, pH, specific gravity were performed. Endogenous nitrite was determined using Griess reagent. Total nitrate and nitrite (NOx) were measured after reduction of nitrate to nitrite with aspergillus nitrate redtictase. Two-tailed t test, contingency table methods, linear regression and correlation were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: Amniotic fluid levels of NOx and endogenous nitrite were significantly higher in pregnant women with IAI than those without IAI (2.73 ±0.46 vs. 1.78 ±0.08 jjimol/mg creatinine, p = 0.001, and 0.70 ± 0.13 vs. 0.37 ±0.03 fxmol/mg creatinine, p - 0.0009, respectively). IAI had a significantly higher incidence of amniotic fluid gram stain, leukocyte esterase activity, leukocyte counts, and a significantly lower amniotic fluid glucose than without IAI. Amniotic fluid NOx and endogenous nitrite were also significantly correlated with leukocue esterase activity, gram stain, leukocyte counts positively, and glucose negatively. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide important information for better understanding the role of amniotic fluid nitric oxide in the pathogenesis of IAI. Measurements of amniotic fluid nitric oxide metabolite may be pari of a panel of tests that can be used to detect IAI.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)S40
JournalActa Diabetologica Latina
Volume176
Issue number1 PART II
StatePublished - 1997
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Internal Medicine
  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
  • Endocrinology

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