Placental enzymes involved in regulatory peptide metabolism in EPH-gestosis

Essential edema-proteinuria-hypertension (EPH) gestosis still represents an important obstetrical problem. We have investigated the activity of carboxypeptidase H (CPH), phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride inhibited carboxypeptidase (PMSF-CP), carboxypeptidase M (CPM) and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), the main carboxypeptidases in human placenta under normal conditions and mild EPH-gestosis. Gestosis was accompanied by the decrease in activity of the enzymes involved into metabolism of regulatory peptides (ACE, CPH, PMSF-CP, CPM) compared with their activity in placenta under physiological pregnancy. Correlation analysis revealed positive correlation between placental CPH and CPM ( r = 0.2735*) in EPH-gestosis. These findings suggest involvement of placental proteases into formation of compensatory-adaptive reactions in the fetoplacental complex at EPH-gestosis; the data obtained may be also employed for the development of methods of prophylaxis and corrections of metabolic impairments in pathology of pregnancy.