Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 12, 2026
Modeling Encephalopathy of Prematurity Using Prenatal Hypoxia-ischemia with Intra-amniotic Lipopolysaccharide in Rats
Published on: November 20, 2015
Association of midgestation paraoxonase 1 activity and pregnancies complicated by preterm birth
Arthur M Baker1, Sina Haeri, Richard L Klein
1Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Objective:
The objective of the study was to determine whether an association exists between low paraoxonase 1 activity and dyslipidemia at midgestation and preterm birth.
Study Design:
We conducted a case-control study of 30 women with preterm birth and 90 women with uncomplicated term deliveries. Maternal serum collected at 15-20 weeks was used to measure lipid concentrations and paraoxonase 1 activity using 2 substrates: paraoxon and phenylacetate (arylesterase activity).
Results:
The groups did not differ with respect to maternal demographics. Paraoxonase 1 activity (paraoxon) was significantly lower in women delivering preterm compared with controls (12.9 +/- 6.1 vs 16.6 +/- 7.7 dA/min; P = .02). Arylesterase activity and serum lipid concentrations were similar between women with preterm birth and controls.
Conclusion:
Midgestation paraoxonase 1 activity is lower in women who later experience spontaneous preterm birth compared with women who have term deliveries. Prospective studies are needed to determine the significance of paraoxonase 1 in the pathogenesis of preterm birth.
Related Concept Videos
01:07Teratogenicity
01:19Mitral Valve Prolapse III: Nursing Management
01:20Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...