Zeta potential as a novel diagnostic tool for preeclampsia

To determine the zeta potential of erythrocyte and its association with morphological changes during preeclampsia so as to use it as a diagnostic tool to determine this pregnancy related complication.

This retrospective study included 502 pregnant women. Blood samples were collected in 5% dextrose solution from preeclampsia patients (n = 92) and normal pregnant women (n = 337). Zeta potential (ZP) of the erythrocyte was measured using Zeta meter System 4.0 equipped with zetameter-ZM4DAQ software using microscopically acquired video images. The experimental data was analysed using One Way analysis of variance using GraphPad Prism 5 Project software for Windows.

In the present study, mean erythrocytic ZP of pregnant women in each trimester was found to be17.22 mV, 20.159 mV and 20.92 mV for the first, second and third trimester respectively. Whereas for control pregnant women it was found to be 21.07 ± 0.3393 mV and for preeclampsia patients it was found to be 15.13 ± 0.1393 mV which was significantly less than that of control pregnant volunteers along with structural deformity and increased osmotic fragility of erythrocytes.

The data suggest that as pregnancy progresses there is increase in ZP values whereas in preeclampsia there is significant decrease in the ZP values below the normal level. This decrease in ZP values can be seen in early stages of pregnancy, which is difficult to diagnose by other available diagnostic tests. So, that early treatment can be started and development of further complications in mother as well as foetus can be avoided.