Raised leptin concentrations in feto-placental tissues from women with preeclampsia

The aim of this study was to estimate the levels of leptin in the amnion, chorion laeve, and placenta and to examine for any differences in leptin levels in these tissues from preeclamptic and normotensive pregnant women.

Fresh samples of amnion, chorion laeve, and placenta were obtained from 10 normotensive and 10 preeclamptic women following vaginal delivery. After repeated washing with Krebs Heinsleit solution, 2 g of each tissue were homogenized separately. Following centrifugation, the supernatant was removed and stored at -80 degrees C for analysis of leptin at a later date. Leptin in supernatants from homogenates was measured using commercially available radioimmunoassay (RIA) Kits. Statistical analysis was performed using student's t-test for independent samples and all results are expressed as mean +/- SEM.

Leptin concentrations were significantly higher in all the three tissues from preeclamptic women when compared to the corresponding tissues from normotensive controls (0.52 +/- 0.1 vs. 1.15 +/- 0.41; 0.99 +/- 0.16 vs. 2.19 +/- 0.71; and 10.28 +/- 1.06 vs. 13.95 +/- 1.13 in the amnion, chorion laeve, and placenta, respectively, from normotensive pregnant women and women with preeclampsia; p < 0.05).

Leptin concentration is significantly raised in fetoplacental tissues from women with preeclampsia. Its role in preeclampsia remains unclear and it is not possible to say from this study if the raised levels of leptin evident in placentas from preeclamptic women are a cause or consequence of preeclampsia, although the latter seems more likely.