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Reactivity against phospholipids during pregnancy
M I Bokarewa1, M Wramsby, K Bremme
1Blood Coagulation Research, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England)
|November 7, 1998
Summary
Phospholipid antibodies (PLa) levels remained stable during pregnancy, while activated protein C (APC) resistance decreased. Both PLa and APC resistance increased postpartum, suggesting a potential link in healthy pregnancies.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive immunology
- Thrombosis and hemostasis research
Background:
- Antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) are implicated in activated protein C (APC) resistance, a condition affecting blood coagulation.
- Understanding the interplay between aPL and APC resistance during pregnancy is crucial for assessing thrombotic risk.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the dynamic changes in antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) and APC resistance throughout healthy pregnancies.
- To determine the relationship between aPL levels and APC resistance in pregnant women.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study tracking 29 healthy pregnancies.
- Measurement of phospholipid antibodies (GPL, MPL) and lupus anticoagulant (LA) activity.
- Assessment of APC resistance using the normalized APC ratio (nAPC).
Main Results:
- Phospholipid antibody levels showed no significant change during pregnancy but increased postpartum.
- Activated protein C resistance was suppressed during pregnancy (P < 0.05) and elevated after delivery.
- In women with PLa, the changes in APC resistance during pregnancy were not correlated with PLa levels.
Conclusions:
- Activated protein C resistance, not phospholipid antibodies, is significantly altered during healthy pregnancy.
- Both phospholipid antibodies and APC resistance increase postpartum, warranting further investigation into their clinical significance.