Shrunken pore syndrome, preeclampsia, and markers of NO metabolism in pregnant women during the first trimester

AbstractShrunken pore syndrome (SPS) is a condition that manifests itself as the decreased renal clearance of low-molecular-weight proteins but normal clearance of creatinine. Pregnant women with evidence of SPS during the first trimester have an increased risk of developing preeclampsia (PE). The nitric oxide (NO) metabolism markers arginine and ADMA, especially their ratio (Arg/ADMA), are recognized markers of endothelial dysfunction. The aim of this nested case–control study was to establish first-trimester reference intervals (RI) for markers of NO metabolism and to study these markers in women with evidence of SPS at the end of the first trimester. Seventy-four women were stratified in the first trimester according to evidence of SPS (SPS + or SPS–) and the occurrence of PE during subsequent pregnancy (PE + or PE–), as follows: SPS–/PE–, SPS+/PE–, SPS–/PE+, and SPS+/PE+. RIs were determined according to the CLSI EP28-A3c guidelines. Serum Arg and ADMA levels were analyzed. The Arg and ADMA concentrat...