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Plasma PP13 and urinary GAGs/PGs as early markers of pre-eclampsia
Pierina De Muro1, Giampiero Capobianco2, Antonio Junior Lepedda1
1Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
Insights
Biochemical markers in early pregnancy can predict complications. Reduced plasma placental protein 13 (PP13) and altered urinary glycosaminoglycans/proteoglycans (GAGs/PGs) may signal pre-eclampsia risk.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Obstetrics
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
Background:
- Pregnancy complications like pre-eclampsia, proteinuria, and hypertension pose significant risks.
- Early identification of at-risk pregnancies is crucial for timely intervention and improved outcomes.
- Biochemical markers in the first trimester may offer predictive value for these complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate specific biochemical markers in 11-13 weeks' gestation for predicting pregnancy complications.
- To assess the potential of urinary glycosaminoglycans/proteoglycans (GAGs/PGs) and plasma placental protein 13 (PP13) as early predictors.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of first-morning urine and plasma samples from high-risk pregnant women (n=62).
- Electrophoresis for urine GAGs/PGs distribution, kinetic assay for urinary N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAG), and ELISA for plasma PP13.
- Comparison of marker levels between women who developed complications (n=24) and those with a physiological pregnancy course (n=38).
Main Results:
- No significant differences in total GAG excretion or NAG concentration were found.
- Increased relative content of urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI) and reduced excretion of heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate observed in women with complications.
- Significantly reduced plasma PP13 levels were detected in women who developed pregnancy complications compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Reduced plasma PP13 levels may serve as a predictive marker for pre-eclampsia.
- Alterations in the relative content of urinary GAGs and PGs are associated with pregnancy complications.
- These biochemical markers show promise for early prediction of pre-eclampsia during the first trimester.
Purpose:
To evaluate at 11-13 weeks' gestation biochemical markers that may predict complications of pregnancy such as pre-eclampsia, proteinuria, and hypertension.
Methods:
Analyses were performed on first-morning urine and plasma samples from first trimester pregnant women with increased risk of developing pre-eclampsia such as positive personal or family history of cardiovascular disease and diabetes mellitus. A total of 62 women were enrolled, 24 of them presented complications such as pre-eclampsia, proteinuria, and hypertension during pregnancy. The remaining 38 women had a physiological course of pregnancy and formed the reference group. Urine glycosaminoglycans/proteoglycans (GAGs/PGs) distribution was determined by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate strips. Urinary N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase was estimated kinetically. Plasma levels of placental protein 13 (PP13) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
Results:
No significant differences in total GAG excretion and N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase (NAG) concentration were observed between the two groups of pregnant women, whereas we detected increased relative content of total urinary trypsin inhibitor (UTI plus low-sulfated chondroitin sulfate) (p = 0.001) and reduced excretion of heparan sulfate (p = 0.007) and chondroitin sulfate (p = 0.011) in women presenting with pregnancy complications respect to controls. Plasma levels of PP13 were significantly reduced in the group of women who went on to develop complications compared with controls (p = 0.022).
Conclusions:
The reduced plasma levels of PP13 and the alteration of the relative content of urinary GAGs and PGs observed in our study could be a promising tool for the prediction of pre-eclampsia in an early stage of pregnancy.
