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Serum levels of growth arrest specific protein 6 are increased in preeclampsia
Holger Stepan1, Judit Richter, Karoline Kley
1University of Leipzig, Department of Obstetrics, 04103 Leipzig, Germany.
Insights
Serum growth arrest specific protein 6 (Gas6) levels are elevated in preeclampsia (PE) during pregnancy, correlating with markers of metabolic and inflammatory dysfunction. Gas6 levels normalize postpartum, suggesting a transient role in PE pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Medicine
- Metabolic Syndrome
- Cardiovascular Health
Background:
- Preeclampsia (PE) is a major cause of maternal and fetal mortality, linked to future metabolic and cardiovascular risks.
- Growth arrest specific protein 6 (Gas6) is a novel factor implicated in metabolic regulation, with pro-atherogenic and pro-adipogenic properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum Gas6 concentrations in preeclampsia patients compared to healthy controls during and after pregnancy.
- To assess the association of Gas6 with markers of renal function, metabolism, and inflammation in PE.
Main Methods:
- Serum Gas6 levels were measured in 51 PE patients and 51 healthy pregnant women during pregnancy and 6 months postpartum.
- Correlations between Gas6 and clinical parameters (blood pressure, creatinine) and biomarkers (lipids, glucose, inflammatory markers, leptin, adiponectin) were analyzed.
Main Results:
- Maternal serum Gas6 levels were significantly higher in PE patients compared to controls during pregnancy (5.7 vs. 4.6 μg/l).
- Gas6 positively correlated with blood pressure, creatinine, free fatty acids, C-reactive protein, leptin, and adiponectin.
- Leptin and adiponectin were independent predictors of Gas6 levels in multivariate analysis.
- Postpartum Gas6 levels did not differ significantly between groups.
Conclusions:
- Maternal serum Gas6 concentrations are elevated during preeclampsia.
- Adipokines leptin and adiponectin are independent predictors of circulating Gas6 in pregnant women.
- Gas6 may play a role in the pathophysiology of preeclampsia.
Abstract:
Preeclampsia (PE) contributes to maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Moreover, it is associated with an increased future metabolic and cardiovascular risk for mother and newborn. Recently, growth arrest specific protein (Gas) 6 has been introduced as a novel metabolic risk factor with anti-angiogenic, pro-atherogenic, and pro-adipogenic properties. In the current study, we investigated serum concentrations of Gas6 in patients with PE (n=51) as compared to healthy, age-matched controls (n=51) during and 6 months after pregnancy. Furthermore, association of Gas6 with markers of renal function, glucose and lipid metabolism, as well as inflammation, was assessed in all individuals. Median maternal Gas6 serum levels adjusted for body mass index and gestational age at blood sampling were significantly increased in PE patients (5.7 μg/l) as compared to healthy, age-matched pregnant women (4.6 μg/l) (p<0.05). Furthermore, Gas6 concentrations positively correlated with blood pressure, creatinine, free fatty acids, C-reactive protein, leptin, and adiponectin during pregnancy. Moreover, leptin and adiponectin remained independently associated with Gas6 levels in multivariate analysis. Gas6 serum levels 6 months after pregnancy were not significantly different between former PE and control patients. Taken together, maternal Gas6 serum concentrations are significantly increased in PE during pregnancy. Furthermore, the adipokines leptin and adiponectin are independent predictors of circulating Gas6 in pregnant women.
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