Intraplatelet Cyclic Guanosine‐3′,5′‐Monophosphate Levels During Pregnancy and Preeclampsia

Objective: To investigate the intraplatelet cyclic guanosine‐3′,5′‐monophosphate (cGMP) levels during normal pregnancy and preeclampsia. Study Design: Pregnant women (n = 15), women with preeclampsia (n = 15), and nonpregnant, normotensive women (n = 15) were included. Intraplatelet cyclic guanosine‐3′,5′‐monophosphate levels were measured by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Intraplatelet cGMP levels were significantly different among all groups (p < 0.02). The values were higher in normal pregnant women (mean 19.8 SD 2.6 fmol/105 platelets) in comparison to nonpregnant women (mean 7.6 SD 0.3 fmol/105 platelets; p = 0.001) and women with preeclampsia (mean 11.3 SD 1.8 fmol/105 platelets; p = 0.05). Plasma nitric oxide levels did not reveal differences between all groups. Conclusions: The results of this study in a high‐risk Andean population demonstrated that intraplatelet cyclic guanosine‐3′,5′‐monophosphate levels are decreased during preeclampsia compared to normal pregnancy, suggesting a lack in action of nitric oxide.