Impairments in Metabolism of Amino Acids—Precursors of Gasotransmitters—in the Premature Birth

Abstract—

The content of amino acids, the sources of gasotransmitters and activities of enzymes involved in their metabolism have been studied in the placenta and amniotic fluid in full-term and complicated by preterm birth. Determination of amino acids was performed using an automatic analyzer and enzyme activities were assayed by means of specific spectrophotometric methods. The development of preterm birth was accompanied by notable changes in metabolism amino acids already in the second trimester of pregnancy. Differently directed correlations were found between the level of amino acids and the activity of the corresponding enzymes. The imbalance of amino acids in the fetoplacental system in preterm birth was accompanied by changes in the production of their low molecular weight derivatives—gasotransmitters (NO, CO, H₂S), playing an important role in the regulation of numerous metabolic processes.