Levels of antiangiogenic factors in preeclamptic pregnancies

Abstract

Preeclampsia is characterized by systemic maternal endothelial dysfunction that precedes the onset of clinical symptoms. Antiangiogenic factors are associated with preeclampsia. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the levels of three antiangiogenic factors in preeclamptic pregnancies with/without fetal growth restriction (FGR), and to compare their level in early onset or late onset preeclampsia. Antiangiogenic factors, soluble endoglin (sEndoglin), sFlt-1, and placental growth factor (PIGF) were analyzed in healthy and preeclamptic women (including seven with FGR) at three different time points. sEndoglin or sFlt-1 but not PIGF levels were significantly higher in women with preeclampsia at admission. The level of sEndoglin was significantly higher in early onset, and higher in preeclamptic pregnancies with FGR compared to those without FGR. The level of sEndoglin was correlated with mean arterial pressure or 24-h urine protein in preeclampsia. Our data potentially suggest that Endoglin level correlates with the clinical symptoms of preeclampsia and preeclamptic pregnancies with FGR.