Hepcidin Levels and Related Biochemical Parameters in Pregnant Women with Preeclampsia

To evaluate hepcidin levels and related biochemical parameters in healthy pregnant women and those with preeclampsia.

Analytical study. Place and Duration of the Study: Erzurum Nene Hatun Maternity and Child Diseases Hospital, Erzurum, Turkiye, from October to December 2023.

Sixty-two pregnant females with preeclampsia and twenty-five healthy pregnant females were included in this research. Hepcidin and biochemical parameters were analysed using spectrophotometric methods. The obtained data from pregnant women with preeclampsia and healthy pregnant women were then compared by the independent samples t-test. The relationship between hepcidin and biochemical parameters was analysed by the Pearson's correlation test.

The values of hepcidin in the two groups did not differ significantly (10.78 ± 7.63 ng/ml in eclamptic patients and 8.95 ± 5.77 ng/ml in control group, p = 0.28). Ferritin values of the patient group were lower than those of the control group. C-reactive protein (CRP) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) values of the patient group were higher than those of the control group. Hepcidin values of the control group determined a positive correlation with transferrin (correlation coefficient [cc] = 0.466, p = 0.019), transferrin receptor (cc = 0.620, p = 0.001), CRP (cc = 0.893, p <0.001), and SOD (cc = 0.631, p = 0.001) levels. Similarly, hepcidin levels of the patient group determined a positive correlation with transferrin, (cc = 0.747, p <0.001), TfR (cc = 0.772, p <0.001), CRP (cc = 0.351, p = 0.006), and SOD activity (cc = 0.779, p <0.001) levels. In addition, the hepcidin levels of the patient group showed a positive correlation with tumour necrosis factor-alpha levels (cc = 0.36, p = 0.012) and a negative correlation with ferritin levels (cc = -0.25, p = 0.04).

High hepcidin levels are indicators of preeclampsia which should not be ignored. Particular attention should be paid to hepcidin values if they are above the reference values.

Hepcidin, Malondialdehyde, Preeclampsia, Superoxide dismutase.