Investigation of Serum Lipid Levels During Mid-trimes ter Prostaglandin Induced Abortion

Abstract

Concentrations of serum lipids rise during the progression of gestation, reaching the peak at the end of pregnancy. Although these changes are reversible, the possible influence of elevated serum lipids on atherosclerotic and ischemic cardiovascular disease as well as biliary tract lithiasis development is still unre solved. The aim of this study was to investigate concentrations of serum lipids during mid-trimester pregnancy abortion induced by PGF, .. Blood samples were taken four times: from the cubital vein of 30 women, aged from 15-40, admitted for mid-trimester pregnancy abortion 1. before intramuscular application of PGF, (control) and II. three hours after, in the active phase of abortion (III) and twelve hours after the curettage (IV). Quantitative assay was used for determi nation of total cholesterol, triglycerides, phospholipids, LDL and HDL, while apol ipoprotein Al and apolipoprotein B were determined by immunochemical methods. Three hours after prostaglandin administration levels of triglycerides, LDL and apolipoprotein B were higher, while other lipids were lower, compared to the control group. During the abortion's active phase all lipid concentrations were higher, compared to the control but only HDL lipoproteins were lower. Twelve hours after curettage serum lipid concentrations had decreased, reaching control levels; only serum triglycerides were higher. Apolipoprotein Al and apolipoprotein B were supposed to have a protective role against atherosclerotic process and biliary tract diseases development. (Thai J Obstet Gynaecol 1991;3:85-88.)