Plasma Levels of Fibronectin and Prostacyclin Metabolite in Peripartum Preeclamptic Women

Plasma fibronectin and prostacyclin levels have been reported to vary in preeclamp-tic women when compared with pregnant control women. Elevation of fibronectin and deficiency of prostacyclin have been postulated to be due to endothelial cell disruption or dysfunction. Eighteen preeclamptic women and 19 normal pregnant controls were evaluated for plasma levels of fibronectin and the prostacyclin metabolite 6-keto-prosta-glandin F_1° (6-keto-PGF_1°). 6-keto-PGF_1° and fibronectin plasma levels in patients were significantly different from control patients, with preeclamptic patients exceeding control subjects. Five patients had serial samples of 6-keto-PGF_1° prior to, during, and after intravenous magnesium sulfate therapy and no consistent effect was noted. No correlation existed between fibronectin and 6-keto-PGF_1° levels or between either compound and platelet count or liver function tests. Despite an overall elevation of fibronectin in preeclamptic patients, two patients with the hemolysis, elevated liver tests, and low platelet count syndrome showed low normal fibronectin levels coinciding with throm-bocytopenia, hemolysis, and liver dysfunction. The magnitude of fibronectin elevation may therefore not predict the severity of preeclampsia. The significance of these findings is discussed.