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Calprotectin plasma level is elevated in preeclampsia
Mette Ree Holthe1, Anne Cathrine Staff, Lillian Nordboe Berge
1Department of Research Forum, Ullevaal University Hospital, 0407 Oslo, Norway. m.r.holthe@ioks.uio.no
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica
|February 3, 2005
Summary
Plasma calprotectin levels are significantly elevated in women with preeclampsia, indicating leukocyte activation. This finding may suggest a role for calprotectin in pregnancy disorders.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Immunology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Calprotectin, a protein in myelomonocytic cells, is involved in inflammation and immune defense.
- Preeclampsia involves maternal endothelial dysfunction, poor trophoblast invasion, and leukocyte activation.
- Investigated calprotectin plasma levels in preeclampsia versus normotensive pregnancies and nonpregnant women.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if plasma calprotectin levels differ between women with preeclampsia and healthy pregnant or nonpregnant women.
- To explore the association between calprotectin and leukocyte activation in preeclampsia.
Main Methods:
- Case-control study comparing 20 preeclamptic women with 20 matched normotensive pregnant women.
- Included 12 nonpregnant women as controls.
- Plasma calprotectin levels measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).
Main Results:
- Significantly higher plasma calprotectin levels were found in preeclamptic patients (median 768 microg/L) compared to normotensive pregnancies (median 445 microg/L).
- The difference was statistically significant (p = 0.002).
Conclusions:
- Elevated plasma calprotectin supports leukocyte activation in preeclampsia.
- Calprotectin may be part of the innate immune defense during pregnancy.
- Further research is recommended to understand calprotectin's role in pregnancy disorders like preeclampsia.