Dynamics of Renin, Angiotensin II, and Angiotensin (1-7) during Pregnancy and Predisposition to Hypertension-Associated Complications

Changes in the levels of rennin, angiotensin II, and angiotensin (1-7) were studied during normal pregnancy. The blood was taken on gestation days 140-237 and 238-280. No significant changes in renin concentration were observed during normal pregnancy (p=0.423). The level of angiotensin II increased during normal pregnancy from 9.7 +/- 1.2 to 14.7 +/- 1.9 pg/ml (p=0.019). On the contrary, angiotensin (1-7) concentration decreased from 771.1 +/- 44.2 to 390.7 +/- 13.9 pg/ml (p < 0.001). The shift in the proportion between vasoconstrictor angiotensin II and vasodilaltor angiotensin (1-7) attests to high predisposition of pregnant women to hypertension-related complications.