Elevated plasma endothelial microparticles in preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess endothelial dysfunction in women with preeclampsia by measuring endothelial microparticles. STUDY DESIGN: A case-control study was conducted on 20 women with preeclampsia and 20 healthy pregnant women as control subjects. Endothelial microparticles were measured by flow cytometry with anti-CD31 and anti-CD42. CD31 +/CD42 + platelet microparticles were also quantified. RESULTS: Plasma endothelial microparticles levels were elevated significantly in women with preeclampsia as compared with control subjects (mean±SD and median [range]: 14,723±7,724 counts/μL and 12,378 counts/μL [1,442-33,772 counts/μL] vs 8406±2832 counts/μL and 9016 counts/μL [3,381-12,806 counts/μL]; P