24 h excretion patterns of free, conjugated and methylated catecholamines in man

A method based on high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection is described for quantification of adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine (free and total), metanephrine, normetanephrine, and 3-methoxytyramine (free) in urine samples. Purification of the samples is achieved on disposable Bio-Rad ion-exchange columns in combination with small Sephadex G 10 columns. A clear circadian rhythm was found in the 24 h excretion pattern of free adrenaline and noradrenaline for 4 volunteers (city bus drivers during a working day). No rhythms were seen in the 24 h excretion pattern of free or conjugated dopamine, conjugated adrenaline or conjugated noradrenaline, or of the methylated free catecholamines. It is concluded that in order to obtain information about the neurotransmitter function of peripheral catecholamines it is sufficient to determine the non-conjugated compounds; values for the conjugated and methylated metabolites contribute no extra information.     

Maternal anxiety and fetal behavior at 15 weeks' gestation.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the relationship between maternal anxiety and fetal behavior at 15 weeks' gestation. METHODS: Twenty women in two groups were studied: 10 women underwent amniocentesis and 10 controls did not. Maternal anxiety was evaluated using the State Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire. Maternal plasma catecholamines (noradrenaline, adrenaline, dopamine) and maternal serum adrenocorticotropic hormone, cortisol, glucose, insulin, triiodothyronine, thyroxine and thyroid-stimulating hormone were measured. Catecholamines were also measured in the amniotic fluid of women undergoing amniocentesis. Compiled actograms of 40-min observations were done using ultrasonography. RESULTS: Maternal state-anxiety was significantly increased in the amniocentesis group. Except for fetal hiccups (r = 0.49, P = 0.03) there was no significant correlation between maternal anxiety and any of the other studied fetal movements. Maternal glucose was significantly correlated with hiccups (r = -0.59, P = 0.01), isolated leg movements (r = -0.52, P = 0.03), startles (r = -0.47, P = 0.04) and the total of the studied movements (r = -0.47, P = 0.04). Amniotic fluid catecholamines were significantly correlated with hand-face contact (r = 0.71, P = 0.02 for adrenaline), startles (r = 0.75, P = 0.01 for noradrenaline and r = 0.64, P = 0.04 for dopamine) and general movements (r = 0.89, P = 0.001 for noradrenaline). CONCLUSIONS: This study does not support a relationship between maternal anxiety and fetal behavior in early pregnancy. Maternal glucose and plasma catecholamines could be related to fetal movements at 15 weeks' gestation.     

Determination of lower fatty acids, particularly the anti-epileptic dipropyl-acetic acid, in biological materials by means of micro diffusion and gas chromatography

A gas-liquid Chromatographic procedure with electron capture detection has been developed to measure the catecholamines, noradrenaline, adrenaline and dopamine in normal human urine as their pentafluoropropionyl derivatives. The amines are absorbed from urine at pH 8.5 on micro-columns of alumina, eluted with acetic acid and derivatized with pentafluoropropionic anhydride. Some improvements in the conventional procedure of chromatography on alumina have been introduced. Quantification is obtained by comparing peak heights with those of internal standards added to urine and taken through the entire determination.Normal urinary excretion values of free catecholamines (mean ± S.D.), expressed as μg per 24 h, were: noradrenaline, 52.1 ± 15.0, adrenaline, 24.2 ± 4.0 and dopamine 402.4 ± 86.3. Conjugated dopamine can be determined after acid hydrolysis (pH 1, 100°, 20 min). About 50 to 75% of total dopamine output is excreted in conjugated form.     

Determination of free and conjugated catecholamines and l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine in plasma and urine: evidence for a catechol-O-methyltransferase inhibitor in uraemia

A sensitive, accurate and reproducible method has been developed for the determination of free and conjugated catecholamines and l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine in plasma and urine. The assay involves the enzymatic conversion of these compounds to their radio-labelled O-methylated derivatives using catechol-O-methyltransferase and $\text{S-}\text{adenosyl}\text{-}\text{l}\text{-[}\text{methyl}\text{-}{}^3\text{H}\text{]}\text{methionine}$. Recoveries of 75 ± 5% for dopamine, 70 ± 5% for adrenaline and 65 ± 5% for noradrenaline were obtained. The sensitivities were 0.5 pg for adrenaline and noradrenaline and 5–7 pg for dopamine and dihydroxyphenylalanine. Measurements of conjugated catecholamines were performed after mild acid hydrolysis for 20 min at 95°C. During this procedure no degradation of the catecholamines was observed. This assay led to the discovery of a dialyzable factor in the plasma of chronic uraemic patients which inhibits catechol-O-methyltransferase activity in vitro. The mean 22% inhibition observed for unhydrolyzed plasma increased to 42% after hydrolysis. The identity of this inhibitor which exists as an inactive conjugated form, probably a sulphate ester, and its implication in physiopathological disorders remain to be established.     

Monoamine-oxidizing enzymes in human pregnancy

The activity of benzylamine oxidase (BzAO) was investigated in human maternal blood at all stages of gestation, including parturition, as well as in the puerperium. In addition, BzAO and monoamine oxidase (MAO) A and B activities were assayed in amniotic fluid, placenta, placental vessels and umbilical vessels. No correlation was found between BzAO values in maternal blood and fetal growth. Highly significant variations in maternal plasma BzAO activity were seen by the end of the first trimester, at parturition and at 6–72 h post-partum.

The predominance of MAO A in placenta was again confirmed, whereas in vascular tissue and amniotic fluid, BzAO was clearly preponderant; in the latter, no MAO A activity could be detected. Placental vessels showed significantly higher MAO A activity than umbilical vessels. BzAO and what appears to be a true, soluble MAO B were demonstrated in amniotic fluid.

The physiological implications of these findings are discussed.     

Quantitative determination of serum and plasma haemoglobin using phenothiazines

A reliable high-performance liquid Chromatographic method is presented for the determination of the urinary free catecholamines noradrenaline, adrenaline and dopamine. Urine is purified on a column of immobilized boric acid. Catecholamines are separated by ion-pair reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography and detected electrochemically.The method is suited for routine analysis. It allows the determination of urinary free catecholamines in concentrations as low as 1 μg/l for noradrenaline and adrenaline and 5 μg/l for dopamine. A single analysis can be completed within 1 h. Routine analyses can be carried out in a series of 40 samples within 2 days. The within-assay and between-assay coefficients of variation of the analyses in urine were both 2.9% for noradrenaline, both 5.0% for adrenaline, and 1.9 and 2.1% for dopamine.The Chromatographic properties of the immobilized boric acid were investigated. In particular, the elution pattern of a series of catecholamine metabolites and analogues was determined. Under the conditions used, only basic compounds containing both a vicinal hydroxyl configuration and a primary or secondary amino group adsorb and elute together with the free catecholamines.     

Perioperative catecholamine changes in cardiac risk patients

BACKGROUND: It has previously been found that in cardiac risk patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery post-operative cardiac complications are correlated with high post-operative serum levels of troponin T (TNT) and troponin I (TNI). We investigated whether perioperative changes in the release of free (fCAs) and conjugated catecholamines (cCAs) correlate with the increased serum level of TN (TN upward arrow). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Plasma levels of CAs were determined in 28 patients at risk for or with definite coronary artery disease. Blood sampling was performed in the morning on the day before surgery, on the day of surgery before induction of anaesthesia and until the fifth post-operative day for measurement of CAs by high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: The plasma concentrations of free and conjugated noradrenaline (fNA and cNA) as well as of free and conjugated adrenaline (fA and cA) were increased significantly in TN upward arrow patients post-operatively. The plasma levels of free as well as of conjugated NA and A in TN upward arrow patients were significantly higher than in TN0 patients over the whole post-operative period. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that increased post-operative release of fNA and fA as well as of cNA and cA correlates with high post-operative serum levels of troponins in cardiac risk patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery.     

Free and conjugated catecholamines in patients with cirrhosis

A defect of conjugation may play a role in the elevated plasma free norepinephrine observed in patients with cirrhosis. Plasma free, sulfoconjugated, and glucuronoconjugated catecholamine concentrations were assessed in 15 patients with cirrhosis and in 15 age-matched control subjects. Plasma free norepinephrine and epinephrine levels were significantly higher in patients with cirrhosis (481 +/- 75 and 96 +/- 16 pg/ml, respectively) than in those of the control group (307 +/- 33 and 42 +/- 10 pg/ml, p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01, respectively). Plasma free dopamine levels were similar in both groups. Sulfoconjugated catecholamines were the predominant form in plasma from both cirrhotic patients and control subjects. The ratio of conjugated to total catecholamines was similar in the two groups. Therefore, it is unlikely that a defect in conjugation of catecholamines is contributing to the excessive plasma free norepinephrine and epinephrine concentrations found in patients with cirrhosis. Moreover, in patients with cirrhosis, no significant relation was found between plasma conjugated catecholamines and the severity of liver disease. This study shows that cirrhosis does not induce alteration in conjugation of catecholamines and that hepatocellular function is not essential for conjugation of circulating catecholamines.     

Possible interaction of platelets and adrenaline in the early phase of myocardial infarction

It is known that in most cases of transmural acute myocardial infarction a platelet clot originates within a coronary artery. In acute myocardial infarction patients increased levels of the plasma catecholamines adrenaline and noradrenaline as well as the platelet release proteins platelet factor 4 and beta-thromboglobulin have been reported. In this study, significantly higher values were found of platelet factor 4 (P less than 0.0001) and beta-thromboglobulin (P less than 0.002) in 17 acute myocardial infarction patients as compared to 17 control patients (on intensive care due to non-cardiac disorders), while the plasma levels of adrenaline and noradrenaline were not different. Positive correlations were obtained between the two catecholamines and the platelet products in the control group and between adrenaline and both platelet factor 4 (r = 0.715, P less than 0.01) and beta-thromboglobulin (r = 0.547, P less than 0.05) in the acute myocardial infarction patients. The data suggest that a stimulation of the platelets by adrenaline may facilitate in vitro activation during sampling in patients with high catecholamine load. On the other hand, a "preactivation" of the platelets by an increase of adrenaline might be of significance for thrombus formation in acute myocardial infarction.     

Metabolic effects of low-dose dopamine infusion in normal volunteers

1. Dopamine in 5% (w/v) D-glucose was infused into five healthy male volunteers at doses of 2, 5 and 10 micrograms min-1 kg-1 over three sequential periods of 45 min each. 2. Oxygen consumption, respiratory exchange ratio, blood glucose concentration and plasma levels of free fatty acids, glycerol, lactate, dopamine, adrenaline and noradrenaline were measured. The results were compared with values obtained during infusion over the same time period of the corresponding volumes of 5% (w/v) D-glucose alone. 3. Energy expenditure calculated from the oxygen consumption and the respiratory exchange ratio was higher than control values during infusion of dopamine (P less than 0.001, analysis of variance) specifically at a rate of 10 micrograms min-1 kg-1 (P less than 0.05) when it was 14% higher, but not at a rate 2 of or 5 micrograms min-1 kg-1. The plasma noradrenaline concentration was 74 and 230% and the blood glucose concentration was 21 and 36% higher than control values at 5 and 10 micrograms of dopamine min-1 kg-1, respectively (P less than 0.01). At 10 micrograms of dopamine min-1 kg-1 the plasma free fatty acid concentration was 70% and the plasma glycerol concentration was 80% higher than during the control infusion (P less than 0.01). The respiratory exchange ratio and the plasma lactate concentration were the same in the two groups and did not alter during the dopamine infusion. The plasma adrenaline concentration rose significantly (P less than 0.01), but only transiently, during dopamine infusion at a rate of 2 micrograms min-1 kg-1. 4. Dopamine at low doses has metabolic effects. It increases the blood glucose concentration and the circulating noradrenaline level at an infusion rate of 5 micrograms min-1 kg-1. It increases energy expenditure and circulating free fatty acid and glycerol levels at an infusion rate of 10 micrograms min-1 kg-1, presumably due to stimulation of lipolysis.     

Maternal, umbilical, uterine and amniotic prostaglandin E and F2 alpha levels in labour

This paper confirms the important role played by prostaglandins in the induction of uterine contractions and the initiation of human labour, although the exact mechanism of action in labour remains unclear. Seventeen pregnant women at term were studied. Of these nine were in labour and the remainder underwent elective section. Prostaglandin E and F2 alpha levels were measured in maternal, umbilical and uterine plasma and amniotic fluid by radioimmunoassay. Levels of prostaglandin E were generally higher than prostaglandin F2 alpha but they were significantly lower in maternal and uterine plasma. Levels of prostaglandin F2 alpha were significantly higher in maternal plasma during labour. The highest levels of prostaglandin were found in amniotic fluid. Measurements indicate that the decreasing ratio of prostaglandin E/F2 alpha is more important in the initiation of labour than absolute levels of either prostaglandin.     

Does dopamine regulate aldosterone secretion in the rat?

This study investigated the role of dopamine in the control of adrenal steroidogenesis. Adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine have been measured in plasma and in the adrenal zona glomerulosa and medulla of rats fed low, normal and high sodium diets and in zona glomerulosa tissue of rats with adrenal regeneration hypertension (ARH). Adrenal concentrations (means +/- SE) of adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine in rats fed a normal diet were 1471 +/- 335, 527 +/- 75 and 51 +/- 12 nmol/g in the medulla, and 66 +/- 17, 18 +/- 9 and 6 +/- 1 nmol/g in the zona glomerulosa. The dopamine content of the zona glomerulosa was greater than could be accounted for by simple contamination from the medullary catecholamines and is commensurate with that of tissue with dopaminergic innervation. Adrenal noradrenaline and adrenaline concentrations and plasma catecholamine and corticosterone concentrations were not affected by dietary sodium intake. Plasma aldosterone concentrations were greater than 3030.4, 339.8 +/- 41.5 and 55.2 +/- 11.0 pmol/l in rats fed low, normal and high sodium diets respectively. Five weeks after right adrenalectomy and nephrectomy and left adrenal enucleation, ARH rat systolic blood pressure had increased by 47 mmHg. In the regenerated gland, the concentrations of noradrenaline and adrenaline were negligible but dopamine was present in amounts similar to that of a normal adrenal cortex.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Plasma catecholamines in the acute phase of the response to myocardial infarction.

Plasma catecholamine (adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine) concentrations have been measured in 48 patients within 6 hours of the onset of symptoms of an acute myocardial infarction. The concentrations of all three catecholamines were elevated, and there were positive correlations between plasma noradrenaline concentrations and the severity of infarct as assessed by the coronary prognostic index and serum LDH levels. Plasma glucose, free fatty acid, lactate and cortisol levels were elevated while insulin levels were reduced. The site of infarction did not influence the pattern of hormonal and metabolic responses although heart rate was significantly lower in the inferior than in the anterior infarct group. Seven patients went into ventricular fibrillation shortly (less than 1.8 h) after blood sampling. Plasma catecholamine concentrations were markedly elevated in these patients with levels similar to those previously reported after cardiac arrest.     

Increased Dopamine Is Associated With the cGMP and Homocysteine Pathway in Female Migraineurs

( Headache 2010;50:109-116)
Background.— The group of catecholamines, which include dopamine, adrenaline, and noradrenaline, are neurotransmitters which have been considered to play a role in the pathogenesis of migraine. However, the impact of catecholamines, especially dopamine on migraine as well as the exact mechanisms is not clear to date as previous studies have yielded in part conflicting results.
Objective.— This study aimed to produce a comprehensive examination of dopamine in migraineurs.
Methods.— Catecholamines and various parameters of the homocysteine, folate, and iron metabolism as well as cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and inflammatory markers were determined in 135 subjects.
Results.— We found increased dopamine levels in the headache free period in female migraineurs but not in male patients. Increased dopamine is associated with a 3.30-fold higher risk for migraine in women. We found no significant effects of aura symptoms or menstrual cycle phases on dopamine levels. Dopamine is strongly correlated with cGMP and the homocysteine—folate pathway.
Conclusion.— We show here that female migraineurs exhibit increased dopamine levels in the headache free period which are associated with a higher risk for migraine.     

Plasma and Urinary Dopamine: Studies During Fasting and Exercise and in Tetraplegic Man

Dopamine, noradrenaline and adrenaline were measured in plasma and in urine, using double-isotope derivative techniques, in 46 normal subjects and in 17 tetraplegic patients with physiologically complete cervical spinal cord transections above the sympathetic outflow. Dopamine was present in plasma in normal subjects in a concentration of 0.33 μg/1 ± 0.06 (SEM). Twenty-four hour urinary excretion of dopamine averaged 248 yg ± 22. There was a significant correlation between the 24 h urinary excretion of dopamine and of noradrenaline. In the normal subjects plasma dopamine and the urinary excretion of dopamine did not change during three days of fasting while urinary excretion of adrenaline increased twofold. In the normal subjects exercise significantly increased plasma dopamine from 0.25 μg/1 to 0.43 μg/1, but significantly decreased the urinary excretion of dopamine. Exercise significantly increased the excretion of noradrenaline. In the tetraplegic patients the plasma dopamine concentration and the urinary excretion of dopamine were lower but not significantly different from the corresponding values in the normal subjects. Plasma noradrenaline and the urinary excretion of noradrenaline and adrenaline were significantly lower in the tetraplegic patients. It is concluded that dopamine is present in human plasma in concentrations similar to that of noradrenaline. Free dopamine in plasma and urine of normal subjects is not dependent on food intake. Urinary dopamine may be derived from circulating dopamine. Urinary dopamine does not necessarily appear to reflect changes in plasma dopamine. The relationship between plasma dopamine and changes in adrenergic nervous activity deserves further investigation.     

Dopa in plasma increases during acute exercise and after exercise training

Plasma dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa) has been shown to originate in sympathetic neurons, and it has been suggested that plasma level reflects activity of tyrosine hydroxylase, the rate-limiting enzyme in the synthesis of catecholamines. In this study, we measured the effects of acute exercise and exercise training on the levels of dopa and catecholamines in the plasma of healthy, older individuals. Venous blood was drawn from 19 men, from 52 to 75 years of age, at rest, at a standard submaximal work load, at peak exercise, and 3 minutes after exercise on a cycle ergometer. Ten of 12 men then completed 12 to 16 weeks of supervised training, and seven continued normal activity. All 17 men were then retested. The seven control subjects subsequently underwent exercise training as above and were retested again. Levels of dopa and catecholamines in plasma samples were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Dopa levels at rest were considerably higher than free dopamine, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. During short-term exercise, levels of dopa and catecholamines increased. The absolute increase in dopa was greater than the increase in epinephrine or dopamine but was not greater than that in norepinephrine. After the training period, basal dopa levels increased significantly and correlated with the increase in peak oxygen uptake. There was no change in basal conjugated norepinephrine or dopamine levels with exercise or training, but the level of conjugated epinephrine decreased slightly. No changes occurred in levels of dopa or catecholamines in the untrained group. Free dopamine, norepinephrine, and epinephrine levels at peak exercise were increased after exercise training.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Platelet catecholamines and platelet function in normal human subjects

We have used high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection to measure plasma and platelet catecholamines in 24 normal subjects. In the same subjects platelet function was assessed by measuring platelet aggregation in response to adenosine 5'-pyrophosphate, thrombin, adrenaline and collagen. Platelet sensitivity to prostacyclin was also examined. Platelet noradrenaline showed a positive correlation with extent of aggregation induced by 'low-dose' collagen (1 microgram/ml). No correlation was seen at the higher collagen concentration. Platelet noradrenaline content also correlated with sensitivity of platelets to prostacyclin. High platelet noradrenaline concentrations appeared to result in decreased sensitivity to prostacyclin. No other correlations were observed. These data suggest that platelet noradrenaline rather than plasma levels may be involved in modifying platelet function in vivo. Local release of platelet catecholamines may affect the platelet/vessel wall interaction, the primary physiological step in platelet activation.     

Binding of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in maternal and fetal plasma and in amniotic fluid

Placenta secretes corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) into the maternal and fetal circulation, but a CRH binding protein in plasma may decrease its biological activity. Using a charcoal adsorption method we found that 92% of added 125I-Tyr-CRH was bound to a binding protein in the nonpregnant plasma, 72% in the plasma at term pregnancy, 90% in umbilical cord plasma, 82% in the amniotic fluid in the second and 25% in the third trimester. CRH added to plasma inhibited the binding of 125I-Tyr-CRH over the concentration range of 0.1-8.8 nmol/l in plasma and of 0.1-2.2 nmol/l in amniotic fluid. There was a significant negative correlation (R = -0.80) between the binding capacity of the CRH-binding protein and CRH concentration in maternal plasma. Plasma or amniotic fluid was incubated with 125I-Tyr-CRH and subjected to gel filtration on Sephadex G-50. The bound radioactivity was eluted at the region of Mr 25-40 kDa and the unbound radioactivity at the location of synthetic CRH. Bound and unbound CRH concentrations were determined using charcoal adsorption method and gel filtration on Sephadex G-50 in ten maternal plasma samples at the third trimester of pregnancy. Following mean percentages were found to be bound: charcoal method 61.9 +/- 6.80% (SE) and gel filtration 62.8 +/- 6.33%. We conclude that the bulk of CRH is bound to a binding protein in maternal and fetoplacental circulation, whereas at term pregnancy the role of the binding is small in amniotic fluid.     

Distribution of free and conjugated catecholamines between plasma, platelets and erythrocytes: different effects of intravenous and oral catecholamine administrations

Plasma, platelet and erythrocyte contents of free and conjugated norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine were determined by radioenzymatic assay in 12 resting healthy volunteers. Mean platelet/plasma concentration ratios were 533 for free norepinephrine, 502 for free epinephrine and 149 for free dopamine. Corresponding erythrocyte/plasma ratios were 1.04, 1.13 and 4.5, respectively. The presence of conjugated catecholamines in platelets and erythrocytes could be confirmed; however, their relative proportion within these cells, particularly in platelets, was lower than that in plasma. Upon intravenous infusion of dopamine for 3 hr at 5 micrograms kg-1 min-1, concentrations of free dopamine in plasma increased rapidly (280-970-fold), whereas conjugated dopamine only reached maximal values (14-19-fold increase) at 30 to 60 min after cessation of the infusion. The relative distribution of unconjugated dopamine in whole blood between plasma, platelets and erythrocytes changed from mean values of 1:0.33:3.7 at rest to 1:1.1:0.5 at the end of the infusion. As a result of the subsequent rapid decrease of dopamine in plasma and erythrocytes, this distribution was 1:17:1 shortly thereafter and remained constant up to the end of the investigation period. The relative distribution for conjugated dopamine of 1:0.001:0.5 at rest changed to about 1:0.2:0.1 at the termination of the infusion. Oral administration of norepinephrine and dopamine led to increases in the plasma concentrations of these amines in their conjugated forms only, whereas epinephrine concentrations remained constant. These elevations were not accompanied by corresponding increases in platelet and erythrocyte norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine contents.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

胰岛素样生长因子-Ⅰ、Ⅱ水平与子癎前期相关性研究

目的：探讨胰岛素样生长因子Ⅰ、Ⅱ水平在子癎前期发病机制及诊断中的作用。方法：选择38例子癎前期孕妇为子癎前期组（其中轻度18例,重度20例）,30例正常妊娠晚期孕妇为对照组,应用ELISA检测对照组和轻、重度子癎前期组孕妇静脉血、新生儿脐血及羊水中胰岛素样生长因子-Ⅰ、Ⅱ的含量,分析与子癎前期发病相关性。结果：（1）孕妇血、新生儿脐血及羊水中胰岛素样生长因子 含量在重度子癎前期组明显低于轻度子癎前期组（P〈0．01）,轻度子癎前期组明显低于对照组（P〈0．01）。（2）孕妇血及羊水中胰岛素样生长因子Ⅱ含量在重度子癎前期组明显低于轻度子癎前期组（P〈0．01）,轻度子癎前期组明显低于对照组（P〈0．01）;新生儿脐血中胰岛素样生长因子-Ⅱ含量在重度子痢前期组明显高于轻度子癎前期组（P〈0．01）,轻度子癎前期组明显高于对照组（P〈0．01）。（3）子痢前期孕妇血及羊水中胰岛素样生长因子-Ⅰ、Ⅱ的水平与病情轻重呈正相关,新生儿脐血,胰岛素样生长因子-Ⅰ水平与病情轻重呈正相关,胰岛素样生长因子-Ⅱ水平与病情轻重呈负相关。结论：孕妇血、新生儿脐血及羊水中胰岛素样生长因子-Ⅰ、Ⅱ水平变化可作为预测和诊断子癎前期发病和疾病程度的一个指标。