Circulating endothelial cells, circulating endothelial progenitor cells, and von Willebrand factor in pregnancies complicated by hypertensive disorders.

ABSTRACT

PROBLEM: We tested the hypothesis that the number of both CECs and CEPCs as well as the vWf blood plasma concentration are altered in pregnant women with hypertensive disorders. METHOD OF STUDY Seventy-five pregnant women were enrolled in our study. We used multicolor flow cytometry for CEC and CEPC analysis and the commercial human VWF ELISA kit to measure vWf blood plasma concentration. RESULTS: The highest number of CECs was found in the chronic hypertension group and the lowest number in the healthy pregnant control group. The highest number of CEPCs was found in the control group and the lowest number in the chronic hypertension group. The vWf blood plasma concentration was the highest in the pre-eclampsia group. The CEPC/CEC ratio reached its lowest value in the chronic hypertension group and its highest value in the control group. CONCLUSION: The number of both CECs and CEPCs as well as the vWf blood plasma concentration depends on the type of hypertension complicating the pregnancy.