Plasma 5'-nucleotidase activities and uric acid levels in women with pre-eclampsia.

The present study investigated plasma activity of 5'-nucleotidase, a key enzyme in the production of adenosine, in pre-eclampsia, and evaluated the relationship between changes in 5'-nucleotidase activity, and levels of uric acid, endproduct of the purine metabolism, and the severity of pre-eclampsia. We measured plasma 5'-nucleotidase activities and uric acid levels in women with 18 normal pregnancies, mild and severe pre-eclampsia. In mild and severe pre-eclampsia, plasma 5'-nucleotidase activities and uric acid levels were significantly increased compared with those in normal pregnancy (p < 0.05). Plasma 5'-nucleotidase activity increased according to increases in uric acid levels and the severity of pre-eclampsia. These results suggest that increased plasma 5'-nucleotidase activity may, at least in part, be related to changes in purine metabolism in pre-eclampsia.