Changes in urinary tissue kallikrein excretion in black African women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

The aim of this study was firstly to establish whether tissue kallikrein (TK) was involved in the aetiology of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Secondly, to assess whether tissue kallikrein:creatinine ratios may differentiate normotensive pregnant women from those with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and have a predictive value. Random untimed urine samples were collected from all women (n=264) recruited to this study. Urine specimens were analyzed for urinary tissue kallikrein using a selective, synthetic chromogenic tripeptide substrate (H-D-Val-Leu-Arg-pNA). Urinary creatinine levels were measured using standard methods. There was a significant difference in the excretion of urinary tissue kallikrein between normotensive pregnant women (2.91 ng TK/μg protein) and women with mild (2.52 ng TK/μg protein; p