Urinary Serotonin and 5–Hydroxyindolacetic Acid Levels in Preeclampsia

141 Abstract: The role of serotonin in the pathogenesis of hypertension which is one of the main symptoms of preeclampsia is of growing importance. The levels of serotonin (5–Hydroxytryptamin or 5–HT) and its metabolite, 5–Hydroxyindolacetic acid (5–HIAA) in twenty–four hour urine samples taken from severe preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women were determined by colon chromotography and spectrophotometry. In preeclamptic pregnant women there was a significant increase in 5–HT levels (P<0.01), a decrease in 5–HIAA levels (P<0.001) and decrease in the 5–HIAA–serotonin ratio (P<0.001). These changes indicate that the serotonin metabolism is influenced to a great extent by preeclampsia or this opposite change may have an important role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.