Endothelin/endothelin receptor system is upregulated in preeclampsia with or without fetal growth restriction in contrast to gestational diabetes

Introduction: In addition to its vasoregulative function, in the human placenta endothelin-1 (ET-1) also regulates cell differentiation, proliferation, invasion and apoptosis. ET-1 effects are signaled through two receptor subtypes ETR-A and ETR-B. We tested the hypothesis that the expression of ET-1 and ETRs is altered in preeclampsia (PE), fetal growth restriction (FGR) and in gestational diabetes (GDM) and differs between early (gestational week ≤34) and late (GW >34) third trimester pregnancies. Methods: The study included women (GW 28–41) with PE (blood pressure >140/90mmHg, protein >300mg/24hrs; n=16), wit…