Impaired endothelial function and elevated levels of pentraxin 3 in early-onset preeclampsia

Abstract

Objective: To study endothelial function in relation to anti-angiogenic biomarkers and the inflammatory process in preeclampsia.

Design: Observational study.

Setting: Data were obtained from pregnant women who were admitted to the obstetrical ward at the Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Stockholm, Sweden.

Population: Thirty-five women with newly developed and untreated preeclampsia and 30 healthy controls.

Methods: Flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery, levels of anti-angiogenic and inflammatory markers were measured in plasma during pregnancy and 3-6 months after delivery. Main outcome measures. Flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery, anti-angiogenic and inflammatory markers.

Results: Flow-mediated dilation was decreased in the preeclamptic group at inclusion and at follow-up (p<0.05). Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) and ratio of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) to placental growth factor (PlGF) were elevated in women with preeclampsia during pregnancy (p<0.001). Furthermore flow-mediated dilation was lower and the ratio sFlt-1/PlGF and PTX3 were higher in early-onset preeclampsia than late preeclampsia (p=0.018, 0.002 and 0.039). Levels of PTX3 at inclusion correlated inversely with flow-mediated dilation at follow-up both in the preeclampsia and control groups (Spearman, r(s) =-0.47, p=0.02 and r(s) =-0.46, p=0.02 respectively).

Conclusion: Impaired endothelial function and increased ratio sFlt/PlGF, elevated PTX3 is present in women with preeclampsia and is especially pronounced in women with early-onset preeclampsia.