Serum leptin levels in relation to circulating cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules and angiogenic factors in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia

Abstract

ObjectiveIn this study, we determined circulating levels of C-reactive protein, several cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules and angiogenic factors along with those of leptin in healthy non-pregnant and pregnant women and preeclamptic patients, and investigated whether serum leptin levels were related to the clinical characteristics and measured laboratory parameters of the study participants.MethodsSixty preeclamptic patients, 60 healthy pregnant women and 59 healthy non-pregnant women were involved in this case-control study. Levels of leptin and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 in maternal sera were assessed by ELISA. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-12p70, IL-18, interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interferon-gamma-inducible protein (IP)-10, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 were determined by multiplex suspension array. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were measured by an autoanalyzer. Serum total soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and biologically active placental growth factor (PlGF) levels were determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. For statistical analyses, non-parametric methods were applied.ResultsThere were significant differences in most of the measured laboratory parameters among the three study groups except for serum IL-1beta and TGF-beta1 levels. Serum leptin levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic patients and healthy pregnant women than in healthy non-pregnant women. Additionally, preeclamptic patients had significantly higher leptin levels as compared to healthy pregnant women. Serum leptin levels were independently associated with BMI in healthy non-pregnant women. In healthy pregnant women, both BMI and serum CRP concentrations showed significant positive linear association with leptin levels. There were significant positive correlations between serum leptin concentrations of healthy pregnant women and systolic blood pressure, as well as serum levels of IP-10, while their serum leptin levels correlated inversely with fetal birth weight. In preeclamptic patients, a significant positive correlation was observed between serum concentrations of leptin and IP-10. Furthermore, elevated serum leptin level and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio had an additive (joint) effect in the risk of preeclampsia, as shown by the substantially higher odds ratios of their combination than of either alone.ConclusionsSimultaneous measurement of leptin with several inflammatory molecules and angiogenic factors in this study enabled us to investigate their relationship, which can help to understand the role of circulating leptin in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia.

Placental Proinflammatory State and Maternal Endothelial Dysfunction in Preeclampsia

“…There is controversy with respect to the concentrations of these proteins in PE [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28]. On the other hand, we observed that the maternal concentrations of VCAM-1 were higher in PE.…”

Antioxidant Status in Normal Pregnancy and Preeclampsia upon Multivitamin-Mineral Supplementation in the Region of Vojvodina

“…Increased BMI is also a risk factor for isolated gestational proteinuria during normal term pregnancy [35]. A recent study has suggested a possible pathogenic mechanism of increased leptin levels and activation of pro inflammatory cytokines in PE [36]. In this study serum leptin levels in relation to circulating cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules and angiogenic factors in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia.…”

Changes in Maternal Serum Leptin Levels during Pregnancy and after Labor in Preeclampsia, and Its Correlation to Neonatal Cord Leptin

“…Furthermore, Masuyama et al reported significant elevation of leptin in early and late onset preeclampsia compared to controls [22], while Molvarec et al found no statistically significant difference in serum leptin concentration between late and early onset preeclampsia and among peeclamptic patients with mild and severe form of the disease [35]. In the current study, it is also revealed that leptin decreased significantly in the early post partum period in group (A) (15.3 ± 3.19, p = 0.001*) and group (B) (11.2 ± 2.68, p = 0.002*) which is in line with the results published by Mc Carthy et al [30], and Saylik et al [36], but we did not detect any significant difference between both groups in postpartum maternal serum leptin levels.…”