Exploratory Evaluation of Circulating Microbiota-Derived Corisin Levels in Women with Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes

Abstract

Preterm birth and low birth weight remain major contributors to neonatal morbidity and mortality, yet the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Maternal microbiota has been implicated in adverse pregnancy outcomes, but key mediators remain unidentified. We previously showed that the microbiota-derived peptide corisin induces epithelial apoptosis via mitochondrial membrane depolarization and reactive oxygen species accumulation. In this retrospective preliminary study, we evaluated the association between maternal serum corisin levels and pregnancy outcomes in 84 eligible women. Among them, 10 experienced preterm birth, and 22 delivered low-birth-weight infants. Corisin levels were significantly elevated in these groups compared with women with full-term, normal-weight deliveries. Preterm birth was associated with increased tissue factor, while low birth weight correlated with higher thrombin-antithrombin complex and soluble thrombomodulin and lower fibrinogen levels. Corisin concentrations showed negative correlations with maternal BMI, birth weight and length, and estimated fetal weight. Positive correlations were observed between corisin, myeloperoxidase, and several coagulation markers. These preliminary findings suggest that elevated maternal corisin levels are associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and may reflect underlying mechanisms involving oxidative stress and coagulation activation. Further investigation is warranted to clarify its potential role as a microbiota-derived biomarker in pregnancy complications.

Keywords: corisin; low birth weight infants; microbiota; pregnancy; preterm birth; small for gestational age.

Figure 1

Increased serum levels of corisin in women with adverse pregnancy outcomes. Corisin levels were measured using enzyme immunoassays as described in the Materials and Methods section. Measurements were conducted in patients delivering infants with a birth weight of less than 2.5 kg (n = 22) or greater than 2.5 kg (n = 62) and preterm (n = 10) or term (n = 74) newborns. Data are presented as mean ± SEM. Statistical analysis was performed using an unpaired t-test.

Figure 2

Elevated serum levels of myeloperoxidase in women delivering preterm infants and significant correlation between the serum levels of myeloperoxidase and corisin in all patients. (A,B) Myeloperoxidase and corisin levels were measured using enzyme immunoassays as described in the Materials and Methods section. Measurements were conducted in patients delivering infants with a birth weight of less than 2.5 kg (n = 22) or greater than 2.5 kg (n = 62) pre-term (n = 10) or term (n = 74) newborns. Data are presented as median with the interquartile range. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann–Whitney U test.

Figure 3

Correlation between corisin and pregnancy outcomes. The relationship between corisin and pregnancy outcomes was evaluated after the log transformation of corisin.

Figure 4

Increased serum levels of coagulation markers in women with adverse pregnancy outcomes. (A,B) Coagulation marker levels were measured using enzyme immunoassays as described in the Materials and Methods section. Measurements were conducted in patients delivering infants with a birth weight of less than 2.5 kg (n = 22) or greater than 2.5 kg (n = 62) and preterm (n = 10) or term (n = 74) newborns. Data are presented as mean ± standard error of the mean, and statistical analysis was performed using Student’s t-test.