Many reports indicate that there is an increase in almost all of the components of the renin-
angiotensin system (RAS) during an uncomplicated pregnancy, but renin activity,
angiotensin II, and aldosterone decrease in preeclampsia (PE) for reasons that are unclear.
PE is a life-threatening disorder of late pregnancy characterized by hypertension,
proteinuria, increased soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1, as well as renal and placental
morphologic abnormalities. Although a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity …