ObjectiveAngiopoietin-like protein 3(ANGPTL3) is an important regulator of lipoprotein metabolism in the fed state by inhibiting the enzyme lipoprotein lipase in oxidative tissues. However, the possible role of ANGPTL3 throughout gestation and its relationship with hormonal and biochemical variables are still unknown. The aim of this study was to determinate serum ANGPTL3 level in healthy non-pregnant women, during healthy and preeclamptic pregnancy and postpartum.MethodsSerum ANGPTL3 was analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), in a prospective cohort of healthy pregnant women (n = 52) and women with mild preeclampsia (n = 21), and women at three months postpartum (n = 20) and healthy non-pregnant women (n = 20). The results obtained were correlated with biochemical, hormonal and anthropometric variables and insulin resistance indices.ResultsLevels of ANGPTL3 were not different between the follicular and the luteal phases of the cycle in healthy non-pregnant women. There was a significant reduction in serum ANGPTL3 levels from the first to the third trimester in healthy pregnant women compared with healthy non-pregnant and postpartum women (p <0.01). ANGPTL3 levels do not differ significantly during the three trimesters of pregnancy neither in healthy women nor in preeclamptic women. The serum levels of ANGPTL3 in women who developed preeclampsia are not statistically different from those observed in healthy pregnant women in each trimester of pregnancy. A significant lineal positive correlation was observed between serum ANGPTL3 levels and triglyceride (P =0.0186, r =0.52), very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P =0.0224, r =0.50), and total cholesterol levels (P =0.0220, r =0.50) in healthy non-pregnant women (P 0.05). Besides, there were no significant correlations between serum ANGPTL3 and body mass index (BMI), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, glucose, insulin, leptin, or HOMA-IR (P >0.05)ConclusionsWe describe for the first time the profile of ANGPTL3 throughout pregnancy and postpartum as well as and discussed about explore their potential contribution interactions with lipoprotein metabolism throughout pregnancy and postpartum. Thus, low levels of ANGPTL3 during pregnancy might favor lipid uptake in oxidative tissues as the main maternal energy source, while may helping to preserve glucose for use by the fetus and placenta.

The ratio leptin/soluble leptin receptor (sOB-r), free leptin index (FLI), is used as a marker of leptin sensitivity/resistance in different pathologies. The aim of this study was to evaluate FLI in healthy non-pregnant, healthy pregnant and mild preeclamptic women during pregnancy. We conducted a nested case-control study within a longitudinal observational prospective cohort study. Serum leptin (p=0.0001) and sOB-r (p=0.0000) levels rose significantly throughout pregnancy in healthy pregnant and preeclamptic women [leptin (p=0.0000); sOB-r (p=0.0380)]. Serum leptin levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic compared to healthy pregnant women at 2nd (p=0.0245) and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy (p=0.0016). Additionally, serum sOB-r levels were significantly lower in preeclamptic women during the 2nd (p=0.0236) and 3rd trimester (p=0.0024) of pregnancy compared to healthy pregnant women. Moreover, we found that FLI did not vary significantly during any of the three periods studied in healthy pregnant women (p=0.7640), whereas, increased throughout preeclamptic pregnancy (p=0.0037). Indeed, FLI was significantly higher at 2nd (p=0.0053) and 3rd (p=0.0003) trimesters of pregnancy in preeclamptic compared to healthy pregnant women. Additionally, FLI was significantly higher during luteal phase compared to the follicular phase (p=0.0039). These results demonstrate that FLI increases significantly in preeclamptic pregnant women towards the end of pregnancy.

Background: Decorin (DCN) is a leucine-rich proteoglycan that regulates diverse cellular processes such as organization and stability of extracellular matrix, extracellular signaling by the maintenance of surface receptors and growth factors and enzymes activities. Additionally, DCN is an important mediator of inflammation, angiogenesis, trophoblast migration, placentation, tumor growth and autophagy. Objective: We aimed to evaluate DCN serum levels throughout gestation in a longitudinal cohort study in normal and preeclamptic pregnant women. Methods: In this nested case-control study design within a prospective cohort of 450 pregnant women, 50 healthy and 20 preeclamptic pregnant women were followed during each pregnancy trimester and three months postpartum. Likewise, healthy non-pregnant women in the follicular and luteal phase of their menstrual cycle were included (n = 20). Serum DCN concentrations were measured by ELISA. Results: In healthy non-pregnant women, DCN levels did not differ significantly between the two stages of the menstrual cycle. On the other hand, serum DCN levels decreased significantly in both healthy and preeclamptic pregnant women in each trimester of pregnancy when compared to non - pregnant women (p <0.001) and were re-established three months postpartum (p <0.001). Moreover, serum DCN levels were significantly lower in the second trimester of gestation in normal pregnant women (p <0.05). On the other hand, serum DCN was significantly higher in preeclamptic compared to healthy pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy (p <0.01). Conclusion: The present study found that DCN serum levels decreased significantly throughout pregnancy in healthy and preeclamptic pregnant women. Thus, low levels of DCN may play crucial physiological and pathological roles during pregnancy. DCN has been shown to inhibit different growth factors such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Hence, low levels of DCN during pregnancy might play a critical role in the control of angiogenic process.