Serum heat shock protein 90 alpha levels in mild and severe preeclampsia

The aim of the study was to assess serum heat shock protein 90 alpha levels as a marker in preeclampsia.

This cross-sectional study was carried out in 2015 at Istanbul Cerrahpasa University, University Hospital for Obstetrics and Gynecology. The mild (n=60) and severe (n=60) preeclampsia groups were compared with healhty, uncomplicated pregnancies, matched for gestational age within ±1 week (n=120). The main inclusion criteria were women between 18 and 40 years old who had a singleton pregnancy. Pregnant women with any known medical diseases (chronic hypertension, renal diseases, inflammatory diseases, or infections), regular contractions with cervical changes, and premature rupture of membranes were excluded from the study.

Median serum heat shock protein 90 alpha was significantly elevated in mild preeclamptic women compared to women in the gestational age-matched control group [3.41 vs. 2.62 ng/mL, p<0.001]. The mean serum heat shock protein 90 alpha levels were significantly elevated in the severe preeclampsia group compared to their gestational age-matched control group [3.94 vs. 2.55 ng/mL, p<0.001]. Mean serum heat shock protein 90 alpha levels were comparable between the mild and severe preeclampsia groups (3.41 vs. 3.94 ng/mL, p=0.407) and mild early-onset and severe early-onset groups (p=0.104). Serum heat shock protein 90 alpha showed a weak positive correlation with both systolic and diastolic arterial blood pressure.

Heat shock protein 90 alpha level was elevated in preeclamptic patients. The level of heat shock protein 90 alpha in serum may be suitable for evaluating endothelial dysfunction.