Platelet Activating Factor-Acetylhydrolase Activity Following Chorionic Villus Sampling and Amniocentesis

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Platelet activating factor (PAF) is essential for embryonic development and is a potent vasodilator. It increases vascular permeability and stimulates prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂) production. Platelet activating factor-acetylhydrolase (PAF-AH), the enzyme that degrades PAF, is synthesized by decidual macrophages. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and/or amniocentesis might cause an increase in maternal PAF- AH activity.

METHODS: Maternal plasma PAF-AH activity was evaluated before and after genetic amnio centesis (N = 13) and transcervical C VS (N = 29). A control group (N = 9) was evaluated to study the effects of venipuncture.

RESULTS: Chorionic villus sampling caused a significant elevation in PAF-AH activity (P < .0005). No changes were noted in PAF-AH activity in the amniocentesis or the control group.

CONCLUSIONS: Chorionic villus sampling causes subclinical release of PAF-AH, possibly from the decidual macrophages. Increased PAF-AH activity might result in decreased PAF levels, which might lead to vasoconstriction in the placental circulation due to lack of the vasodilator effects of PAF and possibly PGE₂. This mechanism might explain the increased risk for fetal limb reduction noted with C VS performed at very early gestational ages. (J Soc Gynecol Invest 1994 ;1 : 135-7)

Keywords

Amniocentesis CVS platelet activating factor-acetylhydrolase fetal limb reduction.

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