Plasma 5'-nucleotidase activities increase in women with hyperemesis gravidarum

OBJECTIVES: To investigate plasma activities of 5'-nucleotidase, a key enzyme in the production of adenosine and evaluate the relationship between changes in 5'-nucleotidase activities and pregnancy-related hormones, estrogen, progesterone and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in women with hyperemesis gravidarum. DESIGN AND METHODS: Plasma 5'-nucleotidase activities and estradiol, progesterone and hCG levels were measured in 21 women with hyperemesis gravidarum and normal pregnancies, matched for age, parity and gestational week. RESULTS: In women with hyperemesis gravidarum, plasma 5'-nucleotidase activities averaged 8.1 +/- 0.6 IU/L, which were significantly increased compared to those in normal pregnant women (5.5 +/- 0.5 IU/L)(p < 0.05). The increases in plasma 5'-nucleotidase activities were accompanied by elevations of plasma estradiol, progesterone and hCG levels. CONCLUSIONS: The increase of plasma 5'-nucleotidase activities may be at least partly attributed to elevations of pregnancy-related hormones, suggesting changes in purine metabolism in women with hyperemesis gravidarum.