Metabolomic Markers for Predicting Preeclampsia in the First Trimester of Pregnancy: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

We sought to identify the characteristic metabolite profile of blood plasma samples obtained from patients with preeclampsia. Direct high-resolution mass spectrometry was used to analyze samples from 79 pregnant women, 34 of whom had preeclampsia. We performed a comparative analysis of the metabolite profiles and found that they differed between pregnant women with and without preeclampsia. Lipids and sugars were identified as components of the metabolite profile that are likely to be associated with the development of preeclampsia. While PE was established only in the third trimester, a set of metabolites specific for the third trimester, including 2-(acetylamino)-1,5-anhydro-2-deoxy-4-O-b-D-galactopyranosyl-D-arabino-Hex-1-enitol, N-Acetyl-D-glucosaminyldiphosphodolichol, Cer(d18:0/20:0), and allolithocholic acid, was already traced in the first trimester. These components are also likely involved in lipid metabolism disorders and the development of oxidative stress.

Bioactive lipid mediators in plasma are predictors of preeclampsia irrespective of aspirin therapy

“…In contrast to our findings, Ilgisonis et al. demonstrated that de 18:1/20:0 CER was increased in plasma as early as the first trimester in pregnant women who develop PE ( 69 ). In the same group of patients with PE whose serum S1P was lower than in healthy controls, higher de 18:1/16:0 , de 18:1/18:0 , de 18:1/20:0 , and de 18:1/24:0 CER concentrations were found in both serum and placental tissue ( 70 ).…”

“…Although metabolic biomarkers for PE are not yet widely used in clinical practice, this study and the existing literature shows that metabolomics can potentially become a clinical tool for predicting and diagnosing PE, as well as clarifying the etiology and pathogenesis of the disease ( 69 , 93 ). Our study shows that specific eicosanoids and sphingolipids can be accurately measured in the plasma of pregnant women and serve as early markers of the later development of PE with severe features regardless of patients being prescribed aspirin therapy (e.g., de 18:1/26:1 CER).…”