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Arginase Activity and Lecithin/Sphingomyelin (L/S) Ratio in the Amniotic Fluid of Pregnant Women

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Abstract

Arginase activity is important in polyamines and nitric oxide production which are required for the normal growth of placenta and embryo. A considerable arginase activity is observed in amniotic fluid in women at the end of pregnancy. Lecithin to sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio is widely used in order to assess fetal lung immaturity and prevention of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, the major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The purpose of our study was to determine if there is a relationship between arginase activity and L/S ratio in amniotic fluid. The study included 170 pregnant women, 18–43 years old, with normal and pathological pregnancy. The arginase activity was measured on the basis of the determination of the amount of liberated ornithine from arginine as substrate. The L/S ratio was done by using a thin layer chromatography. Increased level of arginase activity correlates with the fetal lung maturity. Arginase activity and L/S values may be useful biochemical data, for intrauterine baby maturity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia

    Gordana Bjelakovic, Tatjana Jevtovic-Stoimenov, Ivana Stojanovic, Jelenka Nikolic, Dusica Pavlovic, Gordana Kocic, Dusan Sokolovic & Jelena Basic

  2. Clinic of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Clinical Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia

    Petar Miladinovic

  3. Institute of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia

    Marija Bjelakovic

  4. Clinic of Pediatry, Laboratory of Biochemistry, Clinical Center and Faculty of Medicine, University of Nis, Nis, Serbia

    Mira Ilic

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  1. Gordana Bjelakovic
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  2. Petar Miladinovic
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  3. Tatjana Jevtovic-Stoimenov
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  4. Ivana Stojanovic
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Correspondence to Gordana Bjelakovic.

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Bjelakovic, G., Miladinovic, P., Jevtovic-Stoimenov, T. et al. Arginase Activity and Lecithin/Sphingomyelin (L/S) Ratio in the Amniotic Fluid of Pregnant Women. Ind J Clin Biochem 30, 84–88 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-013-0398-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12291-013-0398-9

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