Regulation of platelet aggregation in vitro by plasma adenosine in preeclampsia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible role of plasma adenosine in platelet aggregation in preeclampsia. We measured the plasma adenosine concentration [ADO] and in vitro platelet aggregation in the third trimester of normal pregnant (n = 15) and preeclamptic women (n = 15). The mean plasma [ADO] in preeclampsia was 0.68 +/- 0.08 microM (means +/- SEM), significantly higher than in normal pregnancy (0.42 +/- 0.09 microM) (p < 0.05). In preeclampsia, platelet aggregation in response to collagen was approximately 40% lower than that in normal pregnancy (p < 0.05). There was an inverse correlation between the plasma [ADO] and platelet aggregation in vitro (r = -0.27, p < 0.05). These results suggest reduced platelet aggregation in preeclampsia may be at least in part attributed to an elevation of the the plasma [ADO].