Elevated amniotic fluid leptin levels in pregnant women who are destined to develop preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether leptin levels of the amniotic fluid elevate during early pregnancy in women destined to develop preeclampsia and to evaluate the relationship between amniotic fluid leptin levels and gestational age, maternal body mass index, and fetal sex. STUDY DESIGN: Leptin levels of the amniotic fluid were compared in two groups of women, preeclamptic (n = 20) and normotensive pregnant (n = 40), matched for fetal sex, maternal body mass index at sampling, gravidity and fetal gestational age at sampling. Furthermore, amniotic leptin levels in 400 normotensive pregnant women were analyzed for their correlation with gestational age, maternal body mass index, and fetal sex. RESULTS: Median leptin concentrations were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the women with preeclampsia (7.3+/-0.7 ng/ml) than in the normotensive pregnant women (4.1 +/- 0.3 ng/ml), independent of fetal sex. The leptin levels in the amniotic fluid decreased with advanced gestational age (r = 0.24, p < 0.001). Amniotic fluid leptin levels in the pregnant women carrying a female fetus (5.6+/-0.3ng/ml) were significantly higher than those carrying a male fetus (4.7+/-0.2 ng/ml) (p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Higher amniotic fluid leptin levels were observed in the preeclamptic pregnant women, and they decreased as gestational age advanced. Furthermore, the women with a female fetus were noted to have higher amniotic fluid leptin levels.     

Serum leptin levels in preeclamptic pregnant women: relationship to thyroid-stimulating hormone, body mass index, and proteinuria

The objective of this study was to evaluate the change in maternal serum leptin levels in preeclampsia and to study the relationship between maternal serum leptin and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), body mass index (BMI), newborn weight, and proteinuria. Eighty-five pregnant women were included in this prospective study, of whom 50 were preeclamptic and 35 were normotensive. Maternal serum leptin levels were measured by the radioimmunoassay technique and TSH levels were measured by the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay method. The maternal serum leptin levels of preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women were compared. In each group, the relationship between maternal serum leptin levels and TSH levels, BMI, newborn weight, and proteinuria was evaluated. The maternal serum leptin level was significantly higher in the preeclamptics than in the normotensive pregnant women. In the preeclamptic group, there was a strong positive correlation between maternal serum leptin levels and BMI (r =- 0.80; p < 0.001), a very weak positive correlation between maternal serum leptin levels and proteinuria (r = 0.305; p < 0.05), and a very weak inverse correlation between maternal serum leptin levels and birth weight (r = -0.377; p < 0.01). In the same group, there was no correlation between maternal serum leptin and serum TSH levels (r = 0.22; p > 0.05; Pearson correlation test). Leptin may be involved in the pathology of preeclampsia, and elevated maternal serum leptin levels may be a marker for the early stages of preeclampsia in pregnant women.     

Correlation of elevated leptin levels in amniotic fluid and maternal serum in neural tube defects

OBJECTIVE: To measure maternal serum and amniotic fluid leptin concentrations in pregnant women diagnosed antenatally as having fetuses with a neural tube defect in the second trimester. METHODS: Twenty pregnant women who had fetuses with a neural tube defect detected on ultrasonography (neural tube defect group) in the second trimester and 20 women who had abnormal triple screens indicating an increased risk for Down syndrome but had healthy fetuses (control group) were enrolled in the study. Amniotic fluid was obtained by amniocentesis, and maternal serum samples were taken simultaneously. RESULTS: The mean leptin levels in amniotic fluid (P <.001) and maternal serum (P <.05) of patients who had fetuses with a neural tube defect were found to be significantly higher than control group levels. The mean leptin levels in maternal serum of both groups were also higher than leptin levels in amniotic fluid (P <.05 for the neural tube defect group and P <.001 for the control group). Although there were significant correlations between maternal weight, weight gain, body mass index at the time of amniocentesis, and maternal serum leptin concentrations in both groups, a significant correlation between leptin concentrations in maternal serum and amniotic fluid was found only in the neural tube defect group (P <.05). CONCLUSIONS: We found significantly higher leptin levels in both amniotic fluid and maternal serum of patients who had fetuses with a neural tube defect. We suggest that the main source of leptin in amniotic fluid of pregnant women who had fetuses with a neural tube defect is the leakage into amniotic fluid from cerebrospinal fluid. The increase of maternal serum leptin concentrations has been attributed to the transportation of amniotic fluid leptin to the maternal circulation.     

Cerebrospinal fluid leptin levels in preeclampsia: relation to maternal serum leptin levels

BACKGROUND: To determine whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and circulating levels of leptin differ between women with preeclampsia and women who had an uncomplicated pregnancy. METHODS: Maternal serum and CSF leptin concentrations obtained in the third trimester of the gestation were compared in 16 women with mild preeclampsia and 23 normotensive pregnant women who underwent cesarean section. Before administering local anesthetic for spinal anesthesia, 2 mL CSF and 4 mL venous blood sample were taken and were stored at -30 degrees C until serum and CSF leptin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Mean CSF leptin concentrations were not significantly different between the two groups (preeclampsia 9.7 +/- 4.2 ng/mL, normotensive 13.6 +/- 4.3 ng/mL, p = 0.952). Similarly, mean serum leptin concentrations were similar between the two groups (mild preeclampsia 21.7 +/- 7.1 ng/mL, normotensive 18.3 +/- 6.7 ng/mL, p = 0.698). CSF leptin levels are inversely related to the serum leptin concentrations in preeclamptic patients (r = -0.87, p = 0.000). An inverse relationship was also detected between CSF and serum leptin levels in normotensive pregnant subjects (r = -0.66, p = 0.000). CONCLUSIONS: CSF and serum leptin levels were similar in patients with preeclampsia and normotensive pregnant women. However, the CSF leptin was negatively correlated with the serum leptin concentrations in preeclamptic and normotensive control subjects, suggesting that leptin enters the brain by a saturable transport system. Further work is needed to confirm our findings.     

Severe preeclampsia is associated with high inhibin A levels and normal leptin levels at 7 to 13 weeks into pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether maternal serum inhibin A and leptin concentrations changed in the first trimester of pregnancy in patients in whom severe preeclampsia subsequently developed. STUDY DESIGN: Blood samples were collected prospectively from patients during the first trimester of prenatal care. Patients in whom severe preeclampsia with no evidence of glucose intolerance or gestational diabetes mellitus subsequently developed were identified (study group, 30 patients) and matched with control subjects in a 1:2 ratio (control group, 60 patients). Inhibin A and leptin concentrations were determined in these first-trimester serum samples for both the study and control groups. RESULTS: Leptin levels were correlated highly with body mass index in both groups but were not correlated with the subsequent onset of preeclampsia. Serum inhibin A concentrations were significantly higher in women in whom preeclampsia subsequently developed than in women in whom it did not. With a specific cutoff value, the estimated odds for severe preeclampsia were almost five times higher in women with high inhibin A concentrations than in women with normal levels (odds ratio, 4.93; 95% CI, 1.83, 13.28). CONCLUSION: High serum inhibin A levels in the first trimester of pregnancy could be used as an early risk marker for preeclampsia.     

Preeclampsia disrupts the normal physiology of leptin

This study was designed to examine the leptin levels of preeclamptic women and their offspring, to compare them with those of normal pregnant women and to search for a correlation between maternal and fetal plasma leptin levels and their anthropometric characteristics. Twenty-one preeclamptic women and their babies were enrolled into the study. Control group consisted of 21 normal pregnant women and their babies, whose birth weights, gestational ages, and genders match with those of babies born to preeclamptic women. Median maternal leptin concentrations of the preeclamptic group (15.3 ng/mL) were significantly higher ( p = 0.03) than the control group (10.4 ng/mL). However, fetal plasma leptin concentrations were not different ( p = 0.06) between the two groups. Fetal plasma leptin levels were correlated with birth weight, length, body mass index, gestational age, and fetal hematocrit levels in the control group. However, no correlation between leptin levels and these parameters was found in the preeclamptic group. Therefore, preeclampsia may be thought to disrupt normal leptin physiology.     

Leptin and gestational weight gain: relation of maternal and cord blood leptin to birth weight

OBJECTIVES: To determine maternal serum leptin concentrations throughout normal pregnancy, as well as cord blood leptin concentration, and to correlate serum and cord blood leptin levels with gestational weight gain and birth weight, respectively. METHODS: This study comprised 52 normal pregnant women, including 11 in the first, 19 in the second, and 22 in the third trimester, in addition to 30 healthy, fertile nonpregnant women of comparable age and with normal body mass index (BMI). Maternal blood and fetal cord blood samples were withdrawn from the normal, healthy pregnant women and the nonpregnant controls for the determination of serum leptin by a specific radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: Maternal serum leptin concentrations in the first trimester did not differ significantly from those of healthy nonpregnant control subjects, whereas leptin concentrations in the second and third trimesters were elevated significantly. There were significant positive correlations between maternal serum leptin concentration and gestational age, gestational weight, and BMI. Cord blood leptin concentration correlated positively with birth weight and third trimester maternal serum leptin. CONCLUSION: Elevated serum leptin is associated with maternal adiposity and risk of developing large for gestational age infants.     

妊娠高血压综合征患者血浆对体外培养的内皮细胞合成血管活 …

目的 探讨妊娠高血压综合征（妊高征）患者的血浆对体外培养的内皮细胞合成血管活性物质的影响,和妊高征患者血浆中是否存在某些引起内皮细胞损伤的物质。方法 应用放射免疫法测定２０例先兆子痫患者（先兆子痫组）及１５例正常晚期妊娠妇女（正常晚孕组）产前血浆前列环素（ＰＧＩ２）代谢产物６－ｋｅｔｏ－ＰＧＦ１α、血栓素（ＴＸＡ２）代谢产物ＴＸＢ２的水平。在体外培养的爬刮动脉内皮细胞中分别加入先兆子痫患者和正常晚     

血清胱抑素C水平与早发型子痫前期发生和不良妊娠结局关系探讨

目的:研究孕妇发生早发型子痫前期及其出现不良妊娠结局与血清胱抑素C(CC)水平变化趋势关系。方法:选取2009年7月至2011年7月在南方医科大学南方医院妇产科住院治疗并分娩的早发型子痫前期患者69例,其中轻度15例(早发轻度组),重度54例(早发重度组),分析血清CC水平和子痫前期发生及母儿结局的关系。并同期选择产前检查正常的妊娠孕妇100例,检测其孕中期和孕晚期血清CC水平作为对照。结果:①正常妊娠孕妇孕中期和孕晚期时血清CC分别为0.81±0.12mmol/L和1.01±0.18mmol/L。早发轻度组血清CC(1.15±0.39mmol/L)和早发重度组血清CC(1.69±0.68mmol/L),分别与正常妊娠孕妇的孕中期和孕晚期比较,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。②早发重度组的血清CC水平高于早发轻度组(P<0.05);早发重度组收缩压、舒张压、尿酸、肌酐和24小时尿蛋白水平均明显高于早发轻度组(P<0.05);早发重度组的羊水过少、胎儿生长受限、胎死宫内、低蛋白血症、胎盘早剥和HEELP综合征等不良妊娠的发生率高于早发轻度组。③早发重度组中出现不良妊娠结局患者中的CC水平高于未出现不良妊娠结局患者(P<0.05)。结论:子痫前期患者在妊娠中期血清CC水平已高于正常妊娠妇女,可能与子痫前期的发生和不良妊娠结局的出现相关。     

Plasma homocysteine in early and late pregnancies complicated with preeclampsia and isolated intrauterine growth restriction

BACKGROUND: Elevated circulating homocysteine is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Increased homocysteine plasma levels have been reported to occur in approximately 20-30% of women with preeclampsia and it has been suggested that they may predict the subsequent development of preeclampsia. METHODS: In a cohort of 1874 pregnant women followed longitudinally, who participated in the Down screening program, 27 developed preeclampsia and 36 intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). A control group of 63 uneventful pregnancies was selected. Plasma homocysteine was assayed in the early second trimester and at delivery in all groups. Data were compared with Wilcoxon's matched-pair test. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference of plasma homocysteine between controls and preeclamptic or IUGR pregnancies in the early second trimester were found. There was a significant difference, only at delivery, between the preeclamptic subjects and the controls. CONCLUSIONS: We failed to demonstrate a plasma homocysteine predictive value in pregnancies subsequently complicated by preeclampsia and IUGR. As previously stated, we found that an elevated homocysteine plasma level is associated with overt preeclampsia.     

Decreased maternal serum leptin in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether circulating levels of leptin differed between women with preeclampsia and women who had an uncomplicated pregnancy. METHODS: Maternal and umbilical venous plasma leptin concentrations obtained at delivery were compared in 36 pairs of women with either preeclampsia or normal pregnancy, matched 1:1 for prepregnancy body mass index and fetal gestational age at delivery. RESULTS: Prepregnancy body mass index was 21.1 +/- 2.1 kg/m2 in either study group (range 17.6-25.3 kg/m2 and 17.7-25.3 kg/m2 in the normal and preeclamptic group, respectively). Mean fetal gestational age at delivery was 40.1 +/- 1.3 weeks and 40.1 +/- 1.2 weeks in the normal and preeclamptic group, respectively. Median leptin concentrations were significantly lower (P <.0001) in women with preeclampsia (8.3 ng/mL, range 3.5-20.0 ng/mL) than in normal pregnant women (20.2 ng/mL, range 6.0-63.7 ng/mL). Median umbilical venous leptin was not significantly different between groups (preeclampsia 11.8 ng/mL, range 2.0-37.2 ng/mL; normal 7.6 ng/mL, range 1.6-24.3 ng/mL; P = .377). Umbilical venous leptin levels correlated positively with birth weight in both groups (preeclampsia rho = 0.501, P = .002; normal rho = 0.517, P = .001), whereas no correlations were found between maternal and fetal hormone concentrations. Maternal leptin concentrations did not correlate with birth weight. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the correlation between umbilical venous leptin concentration and birth weight is independent of the presence of preeclampsia. Given the inconsistency in literature concerning circulating leptin levels in preeclampsia, further studies should investigate the regulatory systems of leptin in preeclampsia.     

脂源性细胞因子与子痫前期关系的研究

目的:探讨子痫前期(PE)患者血清脂源性细胞因子(脂联素和瘦素)水平的变化及其意义。方法:以53例子痫前期孕妇为研究组(其中轻度子痫前期32例、重度子痫前期21例),20例同期分娩的正常孕妇为对照组。采用ELISA法检测血清脂联素和瘦素水平。同时检测血清甘油三脂(TG)、总胆固醇(TC)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)水平。结果:(1)轻度、重度子痫前期患者血清脂联素水平分别为8.88±4.67μg/m l及5.14±2.79μg/m l,明显低于对照组11.61±2.90μg/m l,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。而轻度、重度子痫前期患者血清瘦素水平为21.79±15.19ng/m l及27.27±18.38ng/m l,明显高于对照组的12.35±6.51ng/m l,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01),(2)子痫前期患者血清脂联素与TG、TC、LDL-C、HDL-C均显著相关(r分别为-0.658、-0.624、-0.419、0.461),瘦素水平也与上述指标显著相关(r分别为0.534、0.707、0.418、-0.513),(3)子痫前期患者血清脂联素及瘦素水平呈高度负相关(r=-0.760,P<0.01)。结论:脂联素、瘦素等脂源性细胞因子在PE的发病中可能起一定的作用。     

Bioactivity of serum hCG in preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE: To compare hCG levels, obtained by biologic and immunologic means, in women with normal pregnancies and women with preeclampsia. METHODS: Peripheral blood samples from women in the third trimester with preeclampsia (n = 30) or normal pregnancies (n = 30) were assayed for immunoactive and bioactive hCG (mouse Leydig cell testosterone production assay). RESULTS: Serum bioactive hCG levels tended to be lower than normal, and immunoactive hCG levels tended to be higher in women with preeclampsia, but the differences were not statistically significant. However, the ratio of bioactive to immunoactive hCG was significantly lower than normal for preeclamptic women (0.70 +/- 0.28 vs. 1.15 +/- 0.35 for normotensive pregnant women [mean +/- standard deviation], P <.001). CONCLUSION: The ratio of bioactive to immunoreactive serum hCG is lower among preeclamptic than among normotensive pregnant women.     

Potential atherogenic roles of lipids, lipoprotein(a) and lipid peroxidation in preeclampsia.

AIMS: To evaluate changes in lipid profile, serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) and placental MDA in preeclamptic women, and to evaluate the atherogenic role of these changes in the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was performed in 20 normal pregnant women, 25 women with mild preeclampsia and 28 women with severe preeclampsia in the third trimester. MDA, which is the endproduct of lipid peroxidation, was measured in placental tissue by the thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method of Ohkawa and colleagues and in serum by the TBA method of Asakawa and Matsushita. Serum lipid levels were measured by with an autoanalyzer, serum apolipoprotein (Apo) A-I and Apo B were measured by nephelometric assay and serum Lp(a) level using a nephelometric agglutination assay method. In preeclamptic and normal pregnant women, multiple comparisons between groups were performed by one-way analysis of variance supplemented with Tukey's HSD post hoc test. The association between placental and serum concentrations among groups was analyzed using the Pearson correlation test. RESULTS: Serum levels of MDA, Lp(a), total cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and placental MDA were significantly higher, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and Apo A-I levels were significantly lower, in severely preeclamptic and mildly preeclamptic women than in the normal pregnant women, but no difference was observed in Apo B among groups. Serum level of Lp(a) was positively correlated with body mass index in severely preeclamptic women (r=0.489, p=0.008). A significant positive correlation was also found between serum level of MDA and systolic blood pressure in women with severe preeclampsia (r=0.375, p=0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that high Lp(a), lipid peroxidation, LDL-C and TG, and low HDL-C and Apo A-I levels, are important risk factors for atherosclerosis among preeclamptic women.     

Role of lipid peroxidation and enzymatic antioxidants in pregnancy-induced hypertension

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: Preeclampsia remains a major cause of maternal mortality and morbidity. It is a leading indication for iatrogenic premature delivery. Oxidative stress is considered to be one of the factors in the disease process. The present study is centered on the concept that elevated levels of lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde) due to a decline in the efficacy of antioxidant defenses may predispose an individual to preeclampsia. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the present study we measured lipid peroxidation products (MDA) and the counteracting enzymatic antioxidants. The study comprises 25 healthy non-pregnant women as controls, 25 third trimester normal pregnant women and 25 preeclamptic patients of the same trimester. Estimation of lipid peroxidation by thiobarbituric acid (TBARS) and enzymatic antioxidants were carried out by standard methods. RESULTS: In the preeclamptic group malondialdehyde, a product of lipid peroxidation, was significantly increased while enzymatic antioxidants like superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase were reduced significantly as compared to normal pregnant and non-pregnant controls. CONCLUSION: Increased levels of lipid peroxides and reduced antioxidant activities clearly demonstrate the presence of oxidative stress in preeclampsia.     

解整合素-金属蛋白酶12作为子(癇)前期筛查标志物的初步研究

目的 初步评价孕中期血清解整合素-金属蛋白酶12(a disintegrin and metalloprotease 12,ADAM 12)可否作为子癇前期筛查的一种标志物. 方法 通过病例-对照研究,采用初步建立的间接竞争法ELISA检测100例子癇前期患者与200例正常妊娠妇女孕14～18周血清标本中的ADAM 12水平,将其转换成MoM值后比较其有无明显差异. 结果 正常孕妇孕14～18周血清ADAM 12中位数分别为680/μg/L、738 μg/L、801 μg/L、849μg/L和900/μg/L,子癇前期患者孕14～18周血清ADAM 12中位数分别为598μg/L、664 μg/L、729/μg/L、791 μg/L和839μg/L.子癇前期组患者血清ADAM 12 LogMoM平均值-0.05242,明显低于正常孕妇组血清ADAM 12 LogMoM平均值-0.003 68(P＜0.01). 结论 子癇前期组患者孕14～18周血清ADAM 12水平明显低于正常孕妇,孕中期血清ADAM 12可能作为子癇前期筛查的一种标志物.     

妊娠中、晚期血清瘦素、β-hCG及ADAM12水平的变化及其与子痫前期发生的关系

目的：探讨妊娠中、晚期妇女血清瘦素、人绒毛膜促性腺激素β亚单位（β-hCG）及解整合素-金属蛋白酶12（ADAM12）的水平变化及这些指标对子痫前期（PE）发生的预测价值.方法：选择2007年6月-2008年5月在福建省妇幼保健院定期产检和住院分娩的189例妊娠妇女,分别测定妊娠中期（20～24周）和妊娠晚期（30～34周）血清瘦素、β-hCG、ADAM12的浓度,其中25例发展为PE者为病例组,164例正常妊娠者为正常组.根据受试者工作特征（ROC）曲线确定预测界限值.结果：①妊娠中期病例组血清β-hCG、ADAM12浓度显著高于正常组（P＜0.001）.②妊娠晚期病例组血清瘦素、β-hCG、ADAM12浓度明显高于正常组（P＜0.001）.③病例组妊娠晚期血清瘦素、β-hCG及ADAM12水平均较妊娠中期升高（P＜0.05）,正常组妊娠晚期血清瘦素水平较妊娠中期升高（P＜0.001）,而血清β-hCG与ADAM12水平2组间差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.④妊娠中期以血清β-hCG≥32 μg/L、血清ADAM12≥818 μg/L为预测界值,两者联合阳性预测值为82.61%,高于单项阳性预测值（P＜0.05）.两者联合ROC曲线下面积与单项ROC曲线下面积比较差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）.⑤妊娠晚期以血清瘦素≥23 μg/L、血清β-hCG≥37 μg/L及血清ADAM12≥900 μg/L为预测界值,三者联合阳性预测值达92.31%,高于单项阳性预测值（P＜0.05）.三者联合ROC曲线下面积大于单项β-hCG及瘦素ROC曲线下面积（P＜0.05）,但与单项ADAM12曲线下面积差异无统计学意义（P＜0.05）.⑥联合妊娠中、晚期血清β-hCG预测PE发生的阳性率为81.25%;联合妊娠中、晚期血清ADAM12预测PE发生的阳性率为90.48%,均比单一指标的阳性预测值高.结论：检测妊娠中、晚期妇女血清β-hCG及ADAM12水平可作为PE发生的有效预测指标;联合多项指标并动态监测可进一步提高对PE发生的阳性预测值及准确率.     

A comparative study of serum soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 in preeclampsia.

OBJECTIVES: Maternal serum soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) were evaluated in preeclampsia to investigate whether these molecules could be helpful with regard to this pregnancy complication. STUDY DESIGN: The study population was composed of 30 preeclamptic patients with a mean gestational age of 35.5 +/- 4.6 weeks and 20 age-matched and gestational age-matched normotensive uncomplicated pregnancies (controls). Blood samples from 7 of the 30 preeclamptic patients and 15 of the 20 controls in the second trimester were also analyzed. Data were analyzed by parametric methods. RESULTS: Significantly higher maternal serum sVCAM-1 levels were found in both groups of preeclamptic patients with and without fetal growth restriction (981 +/- 145 ng/ml; n = 13; p < 0.0005 and 846 +/- 84 ng/ml; p < 0.02, respectively) compared with controls (668 +/- 186 ng/ml). In contrast, no significant difference was found in maternal serum sICAM-1 levels between preeclamptic and normotensive pregnancies, or in both adhesion molecules (1) in the controls between second and third trimester samples and (2) in the second trimester between pregnant women who developed preeclampsia later and gestational age-matched controls. CONCLUSION: These findings show a selective significant elevation of maternal serum sVCAM-1 in preeclampsia, with the highest values in cases complicated with fetal growth restriction, perhaps reflecting its angiogenic function. Hence, sVCAM-1 could be helpful in the diagnosis of this fetal complication in preeclampsia.     

Lipid and protein oxidation and antioxidant function in women with mild and severe preeclampsia

OBJECT: The aim of this study was to evaluate the lipid and protein oxidation and antioxidant function in preeclampsia patients and in normotensive pregnant women, as well as, to assess an association with the severity of the disease. METHOD: The study was carried out in 30 patients with mild preeclampsia, 30 with severe preeclampsia, and in 50 normotensive pregnant women during the third trimester of pregnancy. Lipid peroxides in serum, placental and decidual tissues and serum protein carbonyls and some of the antioxidants were measured by spectrophotometric methods. One-way analysis of variance, chi-square test and Pearson correlation test were used for the statistical analyses. Logistic regression procedures were used to calculate odds ratios (OR). RESULTS: Lipid peroxides in serum, placenta and decidua basalis and protein carbonyls in serum were significantly increased, and vitamin E and total carotene levels in serum were significantly decreased especially in women with severe preeclampsia compared with mild preeclampsia and controls. A significant correlation was detected between diastolic blood pressure and lipid peroxides in serum, placental and decidual tissues and serum protein carbonyls. Furthermore, there was significant correlation between antioxidant vitamins and lipid and protein oxidation products in severe preeclamptic patients. Also, logistic regression analysis showed that changes in serum, placental and decidual lipid peroxides and serum protein carbonyls, vitamin E and total carotene concentrations were significantly associated with preeclampsia. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest that lipid and protein oxidation may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Since antioxidant vitamins are significantly decreased in both severe and mild preeclamptic pregnants, early supplementation with antioxidants may be beneficial in preeclamptic patients.     

Serum levels of leukocyte functional antigen-3 in pregnancy and preeclampsia.

BACKGROUND: Adhesion molecules have been demonstrated to be involved in placental growth and development in normal pregnancy. Experimental evidence indicates that adhesion molecules are key factors of endothelial activation in preeclampsia. The aim of our study was to evaluate serum levels of the adhesion molecule Leukocyte Functional Antigen (LFA)-3 in healthy, non pregnant, female controls, healthy pregnant women, and preeclamptic women. METHODS: In our study we included 45 healthy, non pregnant, female controls, 45 healthy pregnant women, and 45 preeclamptic women. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine serum levels of LFA-3. Results were correlated to clinical data. RESULTS: The median LFA-3 serum level in healthy, non pregnant, female controls was 0.2 (range 0 to 8.6) ng/mL. LFA-3 serum levels in healthy pregnant women were 4.8 (range 0 to 18) ng/mL and were significantly elevated compared to healthy, non pregnant, female controls (Mann-Whitney U-test, p=0.004). A cut-off level of 4.8 ng/mL was selected according to the 75th quantile of serum levels measured in the panel of healthy, non pregnant, female controls. In preeclamptic women, whose pregnancies had to be terminated due to exacerbation of preeclamptic symptoms, LFA-3 serum levels above the cut-off level were seen in 14/27 (52%) cases. In contrast, preeclamptic women, who went into spontaneous labor showed elevated LFA-3 serum levels in 17/18 (95%) cases (chi-square test, p=0.002). LFA-3 serum levels revealed a statistically significant influence on the odds of termination of pregnancy due to exacerbation of preeclamptic symptoms (unconditional logistic regression, p=0.02) with an odds ratio of 0.1 (95% CI, 0.006 to 0.7) by every doubling of LFA-3 values. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that LFA-3 expression is upregulated in healthy pregnant women compared to healthy, non pregnant, female controls. Failure of LFA-3 upregulation in preeclampsia is associated with an increased risk for termination of pregnancy due to exacerbation of preeclamptic symptoms.