Serum preadipocyte factor-1 is increased in fetuses of pregnancy complicated with severe preeclampsia

Preadipocyte factor-1 (Pref-1), an inhibitor of adipocyte differentiation, is increased in fetal blood of small for gestational age (SGA) and is considered a factor involved in determining adiposity and associated with high risk of metabolic diseases in adulthood. Preeclampsia is a condition closely associated with SGA, however, the alteration of Pref-1 of in fetuses of preeclampsia remains unknown. The aims of the current investigation were to clarify the alteration of serum Pref-1 in fetuses of preeclamptic pregnancy and to explore possible role of Pref-1 in metabolic diseases in late life.

Cord blood samples were taken at birth from 45 fetuses of normal pregnancy, 16 of gestational hypertension, 29 of mild preeclampsia and 29 of severe preeclampsia. Serum Pref-1 concentrations were measured with ELISA.

There were significant differences in cord blood Pref-1 and neonatal birth weight among normal pregnancy, gestational hypertension, mild and severe preeclampsia (F=8.557, P<0.001 for Pref-1; F=38.405, P<0.001 for birth weight). Serum Pref-1 was significantly higher while birth weight were lower in severe preeclampsia than normal pregnancy, gestational hypertension and mild preeclampsia respectively (P<=0.001 for all). However, either serum Pref-1 or birth weight did not significantly differ among normal pregnancy, gestational hypertension and mild preeclampsia (P>0.05 for all). Fetal Pref-1 concentration was significantly negatively correlated with birth weight (R(2)=0.175, P=0.027 for severe preeclampsia; R(2)=0.209, P<0.001 for preeclampsia; R(2)=0.25, P<0.001 for all subjects).

Increased serum Pref-1 was demonstrated in fetuses of preeclampsia-complicated pregnancy, and it may be proposed that Pref-1 is among the possible mediators leading to high risk of metabolic diseases in adulthood.