To study the effect of 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE) on the umbilical artery in preeclampsia.

To analyze 28 cases in the First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University from January 2011 to June 2011, which included 12 cases of normal pregnant women (control group) and 16 cases of preeclampsia patients (preeclampsia group). Umbilical arteries were collected to test tension during caesarean section and observed effect of 15-HETE on umbilical artery rings contraction by using organ bath experiments. Data were analyzed by using t-test.

(1) 15-HETE increased umbilical artery rings tension by a dose-dependent manner. In the preeclampsia group, the tensions were 145.37±7.65, 205.42±4.99 and 268.00±6.25, respectively. In the control group, the tensions were 107.41±3.90, 127.83±5.23 and 140.04±6.57, respectively. The tensions of umbilical artery rings were significantly higher in preeclampsia group than those in control group (t=-12.769, -21.909, -48.856, all P<0.01). (2) Umbilical artery were blocked by 10^-6 mol/L nifedipine, and the previous tension of umbilical artery and tension of umbilical artery after adding nifedipine were respectively 140.04±6.57 and 128.89±6.16 in control group, while 166.96±3.42 and 268.00±6.25 in the preeclampsia group (t=40.419, P<0.05). (3)Umbilical artery were blocked by 2-aminoethoxydiphenylborate (2-APB), and the previous tension of umbilical artery and tension of umbilical artery after adding 2-aminoethoxydiphenylborate were respectively 91.87±3.33 and 140.04±6.57 in control group, while 93.14±4.97 and 268.00±6.25 in the preeclampsia group (t=58.804, P<0.05).

In preeclampsia, 15-HETE can induce umbilical arterial contraction by increasing intercellular calcium level.