Serum kininase I activity was measured in normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. The mean value in nonpregnant controls was 180±25 (SD) nmol/min/ml. Kininase I activity during normal pregnancy significantly increased after week 14, reaching the highest value (240±20 nmol/min/ml) at weeks 38 and 40. The kininase I activity in pregnancy complicated by severe pre-eclampsia was higher than that in normal pregnancy. The possible role played by elevated kininase I levels in pre-eclampsia was discussed.
Serum Kininase I - Pre-Eclampsia - Bradykinin - Feto-Placental Circulation
