OBJECTIVETo explore the role of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (MCSF) in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

METHODSBy ELISA method, MCSF concentrations were determined in serum samples obtained from 39 patients with preeclampsia and 40 normal pregnant women as controls. The concentrations of serum MCSF were compared between preeclampsia and normal pregnancy, and between early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia.

RESULTSerum MCSF concentrations were significantly higher in preeclamptic women than those in controls (431.0 kIU compared with 179.1 kIU, P<0.001). There were no significant differences in serum MCSF levels between early-onset and late-onset preeclampsia (P>0.05). Serum MCSF was not correlated with maternal age, gestational age, and placenta weight (P>0.05 for all).

CONCLUSIONIncreased level of serum MCSF is an important indicator of preeclampsia and it may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; blood ; Pre-Eclampsia ; blood ; etiology ; Pregnancy

To evaluate the role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia, we measured total VEGF, free VEGF and soluble Flt-1 (sFlt-1) concentrations and determined their relationships. Maternal serum samples were collected from 20 patients with preeclampsia and 20 normotensive women with uncomplicated pregnancies matched with the patients with preeclampsia for gestational age and parity. The serum concentrations of total VEGF (2.39+/-0.75 vs. 0.28+/-0.14) and sFlt-1 (934.5+/-235.5 vs. 298.0+/-161.2) were significantly increased in the patients with preeclampsia compared to the women with uncomplicated pregnancies. However the serum concentration of free VEGF (21.5+/-6.3 vs. 134.0+/-16.3) was lower in patients with preeclampsia. There was a positive correlation between the serum concentrations of total VEGF and sFlt-1 with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, respectively. There was a negative correlation between the serum concentration of free VEGF and systolic and diastolic blood pressure. There was a strong negative correlation between free VEGF and sFlt-1 concentrations. In conclusion, we found VEGF and sFlt-1 were related to the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. Although reduced concentrations of free VEGF might interfere with endothelial cell function and survival, further studies are required to clarify its specific role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-1/*blood ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/*blood/physiology ; Pregnancy ; Pre-Eclampsia/*blood/etiology ; Humans ; Female ; Adult

BACKGROUNDBioactive proteins, such as cytokines and chemokines, have not been systematically evaluated in healthy and preeclamptic pregnancies. We aimed to investigate the difference of these proteins between healthy and preeclamptic pregnancies in order to help clarify their potential roles in the pathogenesis of hypertension and proteinuria in preeclampsia.

METHODSSamples of amniotic fluid and maternal/umbilical cord blood were collected from normal pregnancies and women with preeclampsia for examination of bioactive proteins. Fifty-three pregnant women were enrolled in this study. Of them, 30 pregnant women were recruited as healthy controls, and 23 pregnant women were diagnosed with preeclampsia. An antibody array was used to screen for higher levels of cytokines and related proteins in amniotic fluid than in the blood samples, and these proteins were then selected for quantification by immunoassay.

RESULTSInterleukin-1 receptor 4, hepatocyte growth factor, and urokinase plasminogen activator receptor were significantly elevated in the blood of preeclampsia patients. In particular, interleukin-1 receptor 4 was 8-fold higher in preeclampsia patients than in the healthy pregnancies. Moreover, in cord blood samples hepatocyte growth factor and interleukin-8 were significantly higher in preeclampsia patients.

CONCLUSIONSBecause of the biologic activities, Interleukin-1 receptor 4, hepatocyte growth factor, urokinase plasminogen activator receptor and interleukin-8 in maternal and/or cord blood could play a role in the pathogenesis of hypertension and proteinuria in preeclampsia.

Adult ; Amniotic Fluid ; metabolism ; Chemokines ; analysis ; physiology ; Cytokines ; analysis ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; etiology ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; blood ; Pre-Eclampsia ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Proteinuria ; etiology

To study the expression of placental isoferritin (PLF) in placental tissue of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) and the relationship between the level of expression of PLF and the amount of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in serum, immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the expression of PLF in placenta tissue in 45 PIH patients (PIH group) and 15 normal pregnant women (normal group). High resolution pathological image analysis system (HPIAS-100) was employed to determine the quantity of PLF. The VCAM-1 in serum was examined by enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that the levels of PLF expressions in moderate and severe PIH patients were significantly lower than that of normal group (P < 0.01). The serum VCAM-1 was significantly decreased in PIH group (1310 +/- 177 rho/ng/ml) than that of normal group (609 +/- 72 rho/ng/ml, P < 0.01). The significant negative correlation existed between the expression of PLF in placental tissue and the serum VACM-1 (r = -0.58, P < 0.01). It was concluded that the level of PLF expression in PIH decreases and is negatively correlated with the amount of serum VCAM-1, indicating that these may be involved in the pathogenesis of PIH.
Adult ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Ferritins ; metabolism ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Placenta ; metabolism ; Pre-Eclampsia ; etiology ; metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; blood

BACKGROUNDEarly and late-onset preeclampsia is thought to be different disease entities. This study aimed to determine the effects of early-onset preeclampsia-like symptoms on feto-placental outcomes and the adverse impacts of various factors on placental and fetal growth and development at different gestational stages in a mouse model.

METHODSPregnant C57BL/6J mice were divided into control and preeclampsia (PE) groups, and injected subcutaneously with the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) 50 mgxkg(-1)d(-1). The PE group was divided into early-, mid- and late-PE groups with L-NAME injections starting on days 7, 11 and 16 of pregnancy, respectively. Corresponding control groups were injected with saline at the same time points. Blood pressure was measured until days 14 and 18, when the fetuses and placentas were removed under anesthesia. Blood pressure, urinary protein, and fetal and placental conditions were analyzed.

RESULTSBlood pressure and urinary protein increased following L-NAME injection. The fetal survival rate and fetal weight were reduced and the fetal absorption rate was increased in the early-PE group on days 14 and 18 of pregnancy, compared with the control group. There were no significant differences in these parameters between the late-PE group and the respective control group. Placental weights in the early- and mid-PE groups were significantly reduced at days 14 and 18 of pregnancy compared with the control groups, but there was no significant difference in placental weight between the late-PE group and the respective control group. Morphologic examination of placentas from the early- and mid-PE groups showed varying degrees of fibrinoid necrosis and villous interstitial edema, but no significant pathologic changes were found in the placentas from the late-PE or control groups.

CONCLUSIONPreeclampsia-like symptoms occurring during the early stage of pregnancy are more likely to affect placental and fetal development, whereas late onset preeclampsia-like symptoms have a direct impact on the mothers.

Animals ; Blood Pressure ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Fetal Development ; Fetal Resorption ; etiology ; Fetal Weight ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Organ Size ; Placenta ; pathology ; Pre-Eclampsia ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVETo assess the association of IFNG gene polymorphisms with preeclampsia among pregnant woman from Shaanxi Province.

METHODSGenomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples collected from 280 patients with preeclampsia and 344 healthy pregnant women. Five tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the IFNG gene (rs2069705, rs2430561, rs1861493, rs2069718, and rs2193050) were genotyped with a SNaPshot method. Genotypic and allelic frequencies were evaluated with a Chi square test. Genotype data was corrected by Logistic regression for body mass index and age. The level of IFN-gamma was determined with an ELISA assay.

RESULTSThe distribution of five tag SNPs all conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P> 0.05). Significant association with preeclampsia was found with the T allele of rs2430561 (OR=1.54, 95% CI:1.15-2.09, P=6.99× 10), under a dominant model (OR=3.77, 95% CI: 1.09-13.29, P=0.029) and a recessive model (OR=1.53, 95% CI:1.09-2.15, P=0.018). For the patient group, the IFN-gamma level of those with a TT genotype for rs2430561 was significantly higher than those with an AA or AT genotype [(13.69± 0.79) pg/mL vs. (13.11± 1.56) pg/mL, P< 0.05].

CONCLUSIONPolymorphism of the rs2430561 locus of the IFNG gene is associated with increased risk for preeclampsia as well as serum level of IFN-gamma among pregnant woman from Shaanxi. The role of the IFNG gene in the regulation of preeclampsia requires further investigation.

Adult ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; genetics ; Logistic Models ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Pre-Eclampsia ; etiology ; genetics ; Pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: It is uncertain whether preeclampsia (PE) is caused by pre-existing factors or by pregnancy itself. We want to answer this important question in public health by conducting a large pre-conception cohort in China. METHODS: A prospective and pre-conception cohort study with a target recruitment of 5000 couples who plan to have a baby within 6 months was performed and their conception, delivery, and postpartum were followed up in Liuyang county, Hunan Province of P. R. China. RESULTS: A total of 1915 young couples have been recruited into this unique pre-conception cohort till now. In general, both systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure decreased in early second trimester from pre-conception level but increased in third trimester and at delivery. CONCLUSION The proposed pre-conception cohort study will have important theoretical and practical implications on the prevention of PE and its associated cardiovascular disease risks.
Adult ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Pre-Eclampsia ; etiology ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular ; physiopathology ; prevention & control ; Prospective Studies ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) and preeclampsia and the possible pathogenesis of the latter.

METHODSTwenty-five healthy pregnant women, 43 pregnant women with preeclampsia, and 27 with preeclampsia complicated by SAHS were enrolled in this study. Apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) and the lowest arterial oxygen saturation (LSaO2) were measured through a 7-hour polysomnography (PSG), and the maternal age, gestational age, body mass index and 24-hour urine protein were recorded.

RESULTSAll the indexes except for the maternal age and gestational age showed significant differences between the 3 groups. The two groups of preeclampsia patients showed a significant difference in BMI from the control cases. Significant positive correlations of AHI to BMI, MAP and 24-hour urine protein were noted; LSaO2 was found to inversely correlate to BMI, MAP, and 24-hour urine protein. In spite of the significant correlation of BMI to the other indexes, we found that BMI was less important than AHI and LSaO2.

CONCLUSIONSAHS may induce or aggravate preeclampsia. Greater attention should be given to the presence of SAHS in pregnant women with obesity, but obesity is not the predominant predisposing factor for preeclampsia.

Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; blood ; Polysomnography ; Pre-Eclampsia ; blood ; etiology ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors ; Sleep Apnea Syndromes ; blood ; complications ; physiopathology ; Snoring ; physiopathology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood