Aim: To investigate the expression and clinical significance of ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1) in pregnant women with preeclampsia (PE). Methods: 52 pregnant women with PE who were admitted for delivery were enrolled in the study, while 30 normal pregnant inpatients were chosen as controls. Blood lipid and serum ABCA1 concentrations were assayed by enzymatic analysis and ELISA, respectively, and the expression of the ABCA1 gene and its encoded protein were detected and quantified by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Results: In the study group, blood lipid levels were significantly higher than those in the control group (p < 0.01), while the ABCA1 gene and its encoded protein expression in both serum and placental tissue were lower than that of controls. These differences were highly correlated with disease severity (p < 0.05). In PE patients, serum ABCA1 concentration was positively correlated with ABCA1 protein expression in placental tissue (r = 0.384, p < 0.01) and high-density lipoprotein level (r = 0.318, p < 0.05), but negatively correlated with low-density lipoprotein level (r = -0.279, p < 0.05). Conclusion: In PE women, expression of ABCA1 was decreased, suggesting that ABCA1 may play an important role in onset of PE by altering blood lipid metabolism.
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific disorder characterized by hypertension and proteinuria, but the exact cause of preeclamptic hypertension remains unknown. ATP-binding cassette subfamily A member 1 (ABCA1) reverses cholesterol transport and eliminates excess cholesterol from tissues, whereas higher levels of cholesterol may lead to hypertension. Thus, ABCA1 affects the blood lipid profile. We have hypothesized that serum ABCA1 levels may influence the onset of hypertension and increase the risk of preeclampsia. To test this hypothesis, we measured serum ABCA1 levels in 50 normal pregnancies, 36 preeclamptic pregnancies, and 24 small-for-gestational-age (SGA) pregnancies during three trimesters. We also measured the concentrations of serum ABCA1 in non-pregnant women (n = 60), showing its normal ranges of 0.16 to 0.52 ng/ml. Importantly, the serum levels of ABCA1 were similar among non-pregnant women, normal pregnancies and SGA pregnancies. In contrast, the serum ABCA1 levels were significantly lower in preeclamptic pregnancies (0.06 ± 0.03 ng/ml) than those in non-pregnant women, and normal and SGA pregnancies (P < 0.05). Low serum ABCA1 levels were associated with the increases in the concentrations of blood lipid (low density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol and triglycerides) and with the decrease in the concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.01), all of which may contribute to the onset of hypertension and eventually preeclampsia. Moreover, the preeclamptic pregnancy was diagnosed with high sensitivity from the nulliparous pregnancies if the cutoff value for serum ABCA1 was 0.06 ng/ml. Thus, low serum levels of ABCA1 are predictive of preeclampsia.
Preeclampsia (PE), which is characterized by hypertension in women who have normal blood pressure before pregnancy and is accompanied by proteinuria, edema, and major organ damage, is the major cause of the increased mortality in pregnant women and perinatal fetuses. So far, genistein is recognized as the only safe and effective natural phytoestrogen without estrogen-like adverse reactions. Recent studies show that genistein may play a significant role in controlling oxidative/nitrative stress during preeclampsia, indicating a possible beneficial role of genistein in the prevention of preeclampsia. However, the ability of genistein to prevent and treat pregnancy-induced hypertension, especially preeclampsia, is unknown. To study the effect of genistein on endothelial cell damage in preeclampsia, we isolated human umbilical vein cells (HUVEC) from 20 normal pregnant women and 40 preeclampsia patients (half treated with genistein and the other half untreated). We found that HUVEC barrier function, proliferation, nitric oxide synthesis, glutathione peroxidase activity, and Bcl-2 expression were significantly decreased in the PE group. Furthermore, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine levels and Bax expression were significantly increased comparing to control group. Genistein treatment reversed these changes in the PE group, suggesting that genistein reduces endothelial cell damage in preeclampsia HUVEC and providing a supporting the use of genistein for PE prevention and treatment.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.