[The changes of serum nitric oxide level in patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy].

OBJECTIVE

To study the relationship of serum nitric oxide (NO) level with pathophysiological changes in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP).

METHODS

49 patients with ICP and 26 healthy women in their late pregnancy were studied. The serum NO levels were determined with Greiss reaction by measuring oxidation products of NO.

RESULTS

The serum NO concentration in patients with ICP decreased significantly when compared with that of healthy pregnant women. The serum NO level in patients with ICP was related to the time of persistent pruritus, the serum concentration of bilirubin and glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPR). There is no correlation between serum NO and cholylglycine. In the ICP group the average gestational age was shorter than that of normal pregnancy and the weight of newborn was also lower.

CONCLUSIONS

The decline of serum NO may play an important role in the pathophysiological changes in ICP and may cause the intrauterine growth retardation, premature delivery and fetal hypoxia.