Dynamics of Renin, Angiotensin II, and Angiotensin (1 –7) during Pregnancy and Predisposition to Hypertension-Associated Complications

Changes in the levels of rennin, angiotensin II, and angiotensin (1 –7) were studied during normal pregnancy. The blood was taken on gestation days 140-237 and 238-280. No significant changes in renin concentration were observed during normal pregnancy (p=0.423). The level of angiotensin II increased during normal pregnancy from 9.7 ±1.2 to 14.7±1.9 pg/ml (p=0.019). On the contrary, angiotensin (1 –7) concentration decreased from 771.1±44.2 to 390.7±13.9 pg/ml (p<0.001). The shift in the proportion between vasoconstrictor angiotensin II and vasodilaltor angiotensin (1 –7) attests to high predisposition of pregnant women to hypertension-related complications.
Source: Bulletin of Experimental Biology and Medicine - Category: Biology Source Type: research