Results of an experiment in systematic prenatal screening for neural tube malformations by assay of alpha fetoproteins in dried blood samples (12,480 pregnancies)

Measurement of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) in eluate of dried blood was carried out in 12,480 pregnant women, between the 10th and 30th weeks of amenorrhea. In 348 cases, AFP level was greater than normal (greater than 99th centile). 225 control measurements were performed (123 women dropped out of the study). In 173 cases, the AFP level returned to normal (1.4% false positives). In 52 cases, AFP title remained above the 99th centile: in 8 cases, the fetus was malformed (4 anencephalics, 1 spina bifida, 1 hydrocephalus, 1 laparoschisis, 1 exomphalos). Of the 44 remaining cases, 26 were multiple pregnancies, 5 were cases of acute fetal distress, 7 false positives normalized when a second control was made, 5 false positives up to the end of pregnancy, and 1 spina bifida (normal ultrasound scan on two different occasions). During this prenatal screening, 7 false negatives (0.56%) not detected by AFP assay should be noted: 3 anencephalics, 2 spina bifida, 1 hydrocephalus, 1 exomphalos. In all cases except one, the AFP test was carried out too early (before the 10th week) or too late (after the 30th week). The authors stress that screening must be done during the precise period between the 16th and 20th weeks of amenorrhea, and that close collaboration with a competent ultrasonographist is necessary. In 5 cases of false negatives where AFP assay and ultrasound scan had been carried out, the two methods are compared. Measurement of AFP in eluate of dried blood thus seems a reliable test which could be the first stage in a plan for systematic prenatal screening for certain serious fetal malformations with high incidence (1,2% in the Midi-Pyrenees region).     

Development of an inexpensive and rapid two site microenzyme linked immunosorbent assay kit for human alpha fetoprotein

Laboratory scale development of a two site micro enzyme linked immuno assay kit is described. The kit comprises rabbit anti human alphafetoprotein (AFP), anti human AFP IgG peroxidase conjugate and standard AFP. All the above reagents were prepared in the laboratory. The kit is eminently suitable for early screening of blood sample of pregnant women for neural tube defects of their fetuses and for the quantitation of AFP as a tumor marker. The assay kit was used to determine AFP in 76 sera from women at different stages of pregnancy. During 1st trimester AFP level was 18 to 119 ng/ml, during 2nd trimester the concentration varied from 85 to 302 ng/ml and during 3rd from 103 to 580 ng/ml. No evidence for maternal antibody to AFP was found. The above data agree with AFP level in pregnant women reported by earlier workers, using RIA or ELISA. The present ELISA kit would hopefully be much cheaper than internationally available ELISA kits for human AFP.     

1200例孕中期产前筛查结果的回顾性分析

目的：评价孕妇血清标记物（甲胎蛋白AFP、β-绒毛膜促性腺激素β-hCG和雌三醇uE3）的孕中期三联筛查在临床中的应用价值。方法：采用酶联免疫吸附法（ELISA）对1200例孕中期（14～22周）孕妇进行血清标记物AFP、β-hCG和uE3的检测,结合孕龄、孕周、体重等因素,经专门的筛查分析软件,计算唐氏综合征,18三体及神经管缺陷（NTD）的风险率。如孕妇为高风险,则进行胎儿的超声检查和染色体核型分析的产前诊断。结果：在1200例孕妇中,筛查高风险的孕妇有73例,其中唐氏综合征,18三体,NTD高风险孕妇分别为65例,5例和3例,假阳性率为6.08%（73/1200）。其中59例接受了产前诊断,占高风险孕妇的80.8%（59/73）。共检出1例唐氏综合征儿和1例无脑儿,未发现18三体,检出率为100%（2/2）,未有漏诊的情况。妊娠不良结局在筛查高风险组和低风险组的比率分别为17.1%和1.32%,两组有显著性差异（P〈0.01）。结论：利用孕妇血清标记物（AFP、β-hCG和uE3）的孕中期无创伤性产前筛查,结合产前诊断,对减少出生缺陷儿的出生,具有重要意义,并且高风险的筛查结果对胎儿的预后有一定的提示作用。     

Amniotic fluid cell morphology in early antenatal prediction of abortion and low birth weight.

The morphology of rapidly adherent (RA) amniotic fluid cells was examined in 201 pregnant women referred for amniocentesis because of two sequential high serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) concentrations. Out of 43 amniotic fluid samples containing increased amounts of AFP, 42 had neural or peritoneal cells predominating among the RA cells, the outcome being an infant with a neural-tube defect or exomphalos. In the other case with a raised amniotic fluid AFP concentration but only anterior placental cells the infant was normal. In 25 amniotic fluid samples containing normal amounts of AFP distinctive new patterns of RA cells were observed, termed fetal distress cells. These pregnancies resulted in five spontaneous abortions and 20 infants with birth weights under 2500 g. Fetal distress cells were not detected in any of the remaining 133 samples. One pregnancy was terminated because of a chromosomal abnormality, and there were seven twin pairs not recognised on ultrasonography before amniocentesis. The remaining 125 pregnancies went to term, resulting in infants with birth weights exceeding 2500 g. The results suggest that RA-cell morphology will prove to be of value in the early antenatal prediction of spontaneous abortion and low birth weight.     

Fetal cells in the maternal circulation: Detection by direct AFP-immunofluorescence

Summary Alpha-1-fetoprotein (AFP) was demonstrated on the surface of leukocytes from fetuses, newborns, and pregnant women using an immunofluorescent membrane staining technique with fluorescein-conjugated anti-AFP serum. Evidence is presented that fetal cells can be detected in the maternal circulation using membrane-bound AFP as a marker.     

Elevated Serum Level of IL-35 Associated with the Maintenance of Maternal-Fetal Immune Tolerance in Normal Pregnancy

Objectives

IL-35 is a novel inhibitory cytokine. In this study, we investigate the serum levels of inhibitory cytokines IL-35, IL-10 and TGF-β in both normal pregnancies and non-pregnant females, and whether IL-35 is associated with the pathogenesis of recurrent spontaneous abortion. We also try to elucidate the relationships of IL-35 with estrogen and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP).

Methods

The levels of IL-35, IL-10, TGF-β, estradiol (E2), unconjugated estriol (uE3) and AFP were analyzed in 120 normal pregnancies, 40 women suffering recurrent spontaneous abortion, 40 postpartum healthy women and 40 non-pregnant women by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The correlations between inhibitory cytokines, estrogen and AFP were assessed with the Spearman rank correlation coefficient.

Results

Data are expressed as median and percentiles (Q1, Q3).The level of serum IL-35 in normal pregnancies was significantly higher than that in non-pregnant women [333.6 (59.32, 1391) pg/mL vs. 123.9 (8.763, 471.7) pg/mL; P < 0.001]. A significantly higher level of TGF-β was observed in the first trimester only as compared to non-pregnant women [473.4 (398.0, 580.5) pg/mL vs. 379.7 (311.0, 441.3) pg/mL, P < 0.01]. The difference in serum IL-10 level between pregnant women and non-pregnant women was not significant [8.602 (5.854, 12.89) pg/mL vs. 9.339 (5.691, 12.07) pg/mL; P > 0.05]. The level of serum IL-35 in recurrent spontaneous abortion was significantly lower than that in normal early pregnancy [220.4 (4.951, 702.0) pg/mL vs. 386.5 (64.37, 1355) pg/mL; P < 0.05]. The higher IL-35 level in first trimester pregnant women correlated with E2 (r = 0.3062, P < 0.01) and AFP (r = 0.3179, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Serum levels of IL-35 increased in normal pregnancy and decreased in recurrent spontaneous abortion. Increased IL-35 correlated with estrogen and AFP levels in early pregnancy. IL-35 is becoming recognized as an active player in the maintenance of a successful pregnancy, but this is not the case for IL-10 or TGF-β.     

The effect of maternal obesity on self-esteem and body image

Abstract stress, dissatisfaction and the feeling of inadequacy experienced as a result of the change in appearance caused by weight gain affects self -esteem and body image of pregnant women negatively. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between maternal obesity, self-esteem and body image. The study was performed through a questionnaire in a state hospital in Trabzon, Turkey with 300 unselected pregnant women who were recruited from the delivery unit. As data collection tools, Body Image Scale (BAS) and Coopersmith Self-Esteem Scale (GIS) were used between April and May 2016. According to BMI variables, 12.3%, 57.0% and 30.7% of the pregnant women were normal, overweight and obese respectively and gained an average of 12.11?±?3.03?kg during pregnancy. Accordingly, the majority of pregnant women who participated in this study were found to be overweight and obese. While the body image of pregnant women surveyed in this study was at a high level (158.84?±?21.34), their average self-esteem was found at a moderate level (64.01?±?15.88). Based on BMI, 56.8% of the women with normal weight perceived themselves as normal, 48.0% of overweight women perceived themselves as normal and 53.3% of obese women perceived themselves as overweight. There was a positive significant relationship between participants' body image and their BMI (r?=?0.119 p?<?0.05). The pregnant women with normal BMI were more likely to feel satisfied. While 56.8% of the pregnant women at normal weight based on BMI were found to feel satisfied and 43.3% of those overweight felt satisfied, 54.3% of obese ones did not feel satisfied. A weak positive significant correlation was found between body image and self-esteem (r?=?0.172; p?=?0.003?<?0.05). As the self-esteem increases, body image increases, too. It was found that the majority of pregnant women were overweight and obese according to BMI and their average body image and self-esteem were high and medium level respectively.     

Prevalence and avidity of human herpesvirus-6 specific IgG antibodies in pregnant women in Hungary

The prevalence, the level and the avidity of human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) specific IgG were examined in pregnant women and age-matched female blood donors. The study group consisted of 180 women (age 14-45); 60 women with normal pregnancy, 60 pregnant women with fetuses suspected of having any viral infection and 60 healthy blood donors with no history of pregnancy. Plasma or serum samples were tested for HHV-6 IgG antibodies by an immunofluorescence assay. Ninety-eight percent of blood donors and 97% of 120 pregnant women had IgG antibodies to HHV-6. The rate of seropositivity in women with normal pregnancies and women with fetuses suspected to have viral infection was the same. Pregnant women (n = 120) had significantly lower antibody titer than blood donors. No significant differences were found in the same respect between the two groups of pregnant women. Low avidity of IgG antibodies to HHV-6 was detected in 5% of pregnant women.     

妊娠期糖尿病对子代主要先天畸形风险的影响

目的:探讨孕妇妊娠期糖尿病对子代先天畸形风险的影响,为优生优育提供参考。方法:对我院妇产科收治的124例糖尿病孕妇的临床资料进行前瞻性分析,同时选取150正常孕妇作为对照组,运用产前超声对糖尿病孕妇和正常孕妇的胎儿的先天畸形进行对比分析。结果:妊娠期糖尿病孕妇子代的先天畸形的风险明显高于正常孕妇(RR=2.24,95%CI=0.85-5.88)。结论:孕妇妊娠期糖尿病可对子代的各系统先天畸形造成较大影响,对孕早期进血糖监测是必要的。     

Antibodies against oxidized low density lipoproteins in pregnant women

Oxidized low density lipoproteins (oxLDL) formed in vivo induce a humoral immune response. Oxidative modification of LDL renders it immunogenic and a heterogeneous population of specific anti-oxLDL antibodies is produced. These antibodies could represent a biological marker of oxidative stress and serve as markers of atherosclerosis. Autoantibodies against oxLDL (oLAb) have been detected in human subjects practically of every age. oLAb also appear in the blood of pregnant women. Some studies have shown that the levels of antibodies to oxLDL were elevated in women with established preeclampsia. The present study was aimed to estimate the oLAb IgG levels in the first and second trimester of pregnancy. Furthermore, we estimated the correlation between maternal serum (MS) levels of oLAb and alpha-1-fetoprotein (MS AFP), human chorionic gonadotrophin (MS HCG) and trophoblast-specific-beta-1-glycoprotein (MS SP1), because these proteins are determined as a part of prenatal biochemical screening for fetal congenital abnormalities. Our study deals with the oLAb changes in women with pregnancy-induced hypertension. We also investigated the correlation between oLAb IgG and anticardiolipin antibodies IgG (ACA) in the serum of pregnant women. We examined 40 pregnant women attending Institute for Mother and Child Care for their antenatal care as outpatients. Routine blood samplings between the 9-13th week of pregnancy and 16-18th week of pregnancy were performed as a part of biochemical prenatal screening for fetal congenital abnormalities (Group 1). Their mean age was 27 +/- 4.1 years. Furthermore, we examined 26 women in the second or third trimester with pregnancy-induced hypertension (Group 2). Group 2 was compared with 49 pregnant women in the second or third trimester who were normotensive (Group 3). We used commercial standardized ELISA kits for determination of oLAb IgG, ACA IgG, MS AFP and MS HCG, MS SP1 was analyzed by single radial immunodiffusion. We did not find any differences in the levels of oLAb IgG in the first and second trimester in the women of Group 1. The correlation between oLAb and ACA IgG was not statistically significant (Spearman coefficient r=0.22, p=0.1). The correlation between oLAb IgG with MS AFP, MS HCG and MS SP1 was not statistically significant. Weak negative correlation for AFP and HCG was suggested both in the first and in the second trimester. The levels of oLAb IgG in the group of women with pregnancy-induced hypertension were significantly lower than in the group of normotensive women (348 +/- 388 U/ml v.s. 579 +/- 400 mU/ml, p<0.01). We can conclude that the levels of oLAb do not differ in the first and second trimester of gravidity. However, we cannot exclude the possible influence of an inverse relationship between oLAb IgG titers and the synthesis of fetoplacental antigens. This finding is important especially in the context of the results of prenatal biochemical screening. Pregnancy-induced hypertension is associated with lower levels of oLAb. Weak cross-reactivity between oLAb and anticardiolipin antibodies may exist but there is a possibility that there are two different populations of antibodies reacting with various antigens.     

Alpha-fetoprotein in Abortion

The clinical value of maternal serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) as a guide to the outcome of threatened abortion was assessed. After the thirteenth week of gestation, abortion occurred more frequently (10/12) in women with abnormal serum AFP levels than in those (2/12) whose AFP concentrations were within the normal range. Low levels were present in women with blighted ovum and high concentrations were associated with intrauterine fetal death. In legal first and second trimester abortions, the circulating maternal AFP levels in postabortion samples were often higher than before abortion, irrespective of whether abortion was performed instrumentally or induced with prostaglandins. Maternal serum AFP levels provide a new means for prediction of the outcome of threatened abortion.     

合肥市孕期妇女阴道分泌物湿片镜检与五项生化检验结果分析

目的 探查合肥地区孕期妇女生殖道感染特点,为临床诊断提供参考。方法 选取2017年11月—2018年9月来我院行孕期检查的孕妇969例,采集阴道分泌物分别进行镜检和五联检法联合检测,分析孕妇分泌物清洁度及病原结果。结果 969例孕妇阴道分泌物中,正常清洁度（Ⅰ~Ⅱ）占标本总数36.22%,病原体检出率6.84%,异常清洁度（Ⅲ~Ⅳ）占标本总数63.78%,病原体检出率44.66%,不同清洁度病原体检出率差异有统计学意义（Ps<0.05）。病原体阳性者300例,其中真菌感染158例（16.31%）,细菌感染157例（16.20%）,毛滴虫感染5例（0.52%）,混合感染20例（2.06%）。清洁度Ⅰ~Ⅱ度白细胞酯酶、唾液酸苷酶、脯氨酸氨基肽酶阳性率分别为17.23%、0.52%、0.93%,清洁度Ⅲ~Ⅳ度白细胞酯酶、唾液酸苷酶、脯氨酸氨基肽酶阳性率分别为61.40%、8.36%、17.34%,检测结果差异有统计学意义（Ps<0.05）。结论 合肥地区孕妇阴道分泌物病原体检出率较高,湿片镜检和五联检法联合检测可提高阴道炎诊断的准确性,在临床工作中应加强对孕期妇女的健康指导及生殖道感染的监测,做到早发现、早诊断、早治疗。     

孕妇肠道微生物组成与孕妇及新生儿糖脂代谢相关性研究

目的研究孕妇肠道微生物组成与孕妇以及新生儿糖脂代谢的相关性。方法选择2017年6月至2018年9月在大连市妇幼保健院定期产检的诊断为妊娠期糖尿病(GDM)的孕妇89例为GDM组,血糖正常孕妇96例为对照组。收集孕妇一般资料,孕妇和新生儿糖脂代谢物、孕妇粪便进行微生物检测。结果 GDM组孕妇空腹血糖、甘油三酯明显高于对照组,高密度脂蛋白水平明显低于对照组(均P<0.05)。GDM新生儿脂联素和血糖明显低于对照组,胰岛素和糖化血红蛋白明显高于对照组(均P<0.05)。对照组孕妇肠道微生物中拟杆菌(Bacteroides)丰富度最高(36.6%),其次是普雷沃菌(Prevotella)(15.3%)、柔嫩梭菌(Faecalibacterium)(10.2%)、考拉杆菌(Phascolarctobacterium)(7.2%)。GDM组孕妇肠道微生物中拟杆菌(Bacteroides)丰富度最高(29.4%),其次是柔嫩梭菌(Faecalibacterium)(19.7%)、普雷沃菌(Prevotella)(11.1%)、考拉杆菌(Phascolarctobacterium)(9.3%)。柔嫩梭菌(Faecalibacterium)与孕妇空腹血糖呈正相关(r=0.377 6,P=0.027 6),拟杆菌(Bacteroides)、埃希菌(Escherichia)与孕妇甘油三酯呈负相关(r=-0.027 5,-0.585 8,P=0.023 7,0.041 3)。柔嫩梭菌(Faecalibacterium)与新生儿空腹血糖呈负相关(r=-0.397 6,P=0.027 6)。结论 GDM孕妇肠道微生物构成与血糖正常孕妇不同,菌群丰富度和多样性较低,并且孕妇肠道菌群与其及新生儿的糖脂代谢相关,调节孕妇肠道菌群或有利于改善其与新生儿的糖脂代谢功能。     

Radioimmunological assay of alpha-fetoprotein in maternal serum and intrauterine fetal growth retardation

Maternal plasma alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) was measured in fifteen women during first-mid-third-trimester of pregnancy. In three of these pregnacies by means ultrasound was relevable a condition of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR). AFP was assayed by a double-antibody radioimmunoassay and values were compared with the median value of the normal range for the particular week of pregnancy. Plasma AFP levels were significantly higher in one subject with IUGR than in other patients.     

Measurement of Glycosylated Alpha-Fetoprotein Improves Diagnostic Power over the Native Form in Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) has long been used as a diagnostic marker for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), albeit controversially. Although it remains widely used in clinics, the value of AFP in HCC diagnosis has recently been challenged due to its significant rates of false positive and false negative findings. To improve the efficacy of AFP as HCC diagnostic marker, we developed a method of measuring total and glycosylated AFP by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM)-MS. In this study, we verified the total amount of AFP (nonglycopeptide levels) and the degree of glycosylated AFP (deglycopeptide levels) in 60 normal (41 men and 19 women; mean age 53 years; range 32–74 years), 35 LC (23 men and 12 women; mean age 56 years; range 43–78 years; HBV-related), and 60 HCC subjects (42 men and 18 women; mean age 58 years; range 38–76 years; HBV-related; 30 stage I, 15 stage II, and 10 stage III). By MRM-MS analysis, the nonglycopeptide had 56.7% sensitivity, 68.3% specificity, and an AUC of 0.687 [cutoff value: ≥0.02 (light/heavy ratio)], comparing the normal and HCC group, whereas the deglycopeptide had 93.3% sensitivity, 68.3% specificity, and an AUC of 0.859 [cutoff value: ≥0.02 (light/heavy ratio)]. In comparing the stage I HCC subgroup with the LC group, the nonglycopeptide had a sensitivity of 66.7%, specificity of 80.0%, and an AUC of 0.712 [cutoff value: ≥0.02 (light/heavy ratio)], whereas the deglycopeptide had a sensitivity of 96.7%, specificity of 80.0%, and an AUC of 0.918 [cutoff value: ≥0.02 (light/heavy ratio)]. These data demonstrate that the discriminatory power of the deglycopeptide is greater than that of the nonglycopeptide. We conclude that deglycopeptide can distinguish cancer status between normal subjects and HCC patients better than nonglycopeptide.     

白细胞介素17 在妊娠合并乙肝中的表达

目的：观察白细胞介素17（Interleukin-17,IL-17）在乙肝孕妇和正常孕妇胎盘中表达差异来反映胎盘内的细胞免疫应答的情 况,为外源性细胞因子在增强机体免疫、清除病毒及阻断和治疗HBV宫内感染提供新的科学依据。方法：选择择期剖宫产的足月 妊娠妇女46 例,其中血清HBsAg（+）30 例,血清HBsAg（-）的对照组16 例,采用免疫组化方法检测胎盘组织IL-17 的表达。结 果：IL-17 主要表达在胎盘绒毛的合体滋养层细胞胞浆、毛细血管内皮细胞胞浆以及基质中。血清HBsAb（+）孕妇与HBsAb（-）孕 妇比较,无显著差异（P＞0.05）,HBsAg（+）乙肝孕妇与对照组的表达比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,HBeAg（+）孕妇与HBeAg （-）孕妇的表达比较差异有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。结论：IL-17 在乙肝孕妇胎盘组织中的表达高于正常孕妇,IL-17 的表达不但加 强了机体的防御功能,且能促进炎性反应。     

Platelet sensitivity to a prostacyclin analogue in normal and pathological pregnancy

Platelet sensitivity to a prostacyclin analogue (PSP) was investigated at different stages of normal and pathological pregnancies. During uncomplicated pregnancy PSP decreased progressively by about 30% and returned to almost normal values in the puerperium. In pre-eclamptic women PSP was reduced by 49% and in pregnant diabetics by 50% compared with normal pregnant individuals of corresponding gestational age. Reduced PSP in normal and pathological pregnancy seems to be another aspect of increased coagulability and platelet aggregation found in these patients.     

Diagnostic value of Gram stain for assessment of vaginal smears during pregnancy

The main aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic value of Giemsa stained method with Gram stained method for the evaluation of vaginal smears among pregnant women. A study population comprised 111 pregnant between 6 and 30 weeks of gestation. The vaginal smears from every subject was diagnosed according to Giemsa and Gram stained method and micro-organisms were isolated by culture. In 29.3% cases diagnosed as normal flora (2a) on the basis of Giemsa method bacterial vaginosis was detected in Gram stains according to Spiegel's criteria and pathological microflora in concentration > or = 10(5) CFU/ml was cultured among 75.9% of them. Among 31.7% women who had grade 3a (abnormal) in Giemsa stains method normal flora was diagnosed on the basis on Gram's method and from 17.1% pregnant women from this group we did not isolated any pathogens. For evaluation of vaginal smears during pregnancy the Giemsa method should be replaced by Gram stained method.     

血清妊娠相关血浆蛋白A在诊断异常妊娠中的临床意义

目的:探讨血清妊娠相关血浆蛋白A(PAPP-A)在诊断异常妊娠中的临床意义,分析其与异常妊振的关系。方法:选取299例5~13周的正常早孕妇为正常早孕组,同期选取稽留流产86例,先兆流产54例,异位妊娠76例为异常妊娠组,用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELASA)测定两组受试者的血清PAPP-A水平,分析两组受试者各个孕周内的血清PAPP-A水平的差异。结果:稽留流产孕妇在各个孕周内(9~13周)的血清PAPP-A水平显著低于同孕周内正常早孕孕妇(t值分别为9.500,8.113,3.511,9.538,8.504,P值均0.05);稽留流产孕妇总的平均血清PAPP-A水平亦低于常早孕孕妇(t=3.651,P值均0.05);异位妊娠孕妇在各个孕周内(9~13周)的血清PAPP-A水平显著低于同孕周内正常早孕孕妇(t值分别为7.976,9.030,9.941,11.625,14.079,12.569,P值均0.05),异位妊娠孕妇总的平均血清PAPP-A水平亦低于常早孕孕妇(t=28.168,P值均0.05);先兆流产孕妇(除孕8周)与正常早孕妊娠血清PAPP-A水平比较无显著统计学意义。结论:血清PAPP-A水平在异常妊娠如异位妊娠、稽留流产中显著降低,可作为诊断异位妊娠、稽留流产及先兆流产辅助诊断的生物学指标。     

Preeclampsia is associated with a decrease in plasma coenzyme Q10 levels

Preeclampsia is a common ( approximately 7% of all pregnancies) disorder of human pregnancy in which the normal hemodynamic response to pregnancy is compromised. Despite many years of intensive research, the pathogenesis of preeclampsia is still not fully understood. The objective of the present study was to investigate the concentration of coenzyme Q10 in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia. Pregnant women (n = 18), women with preeclampsia (n = 12), and nonpregnant normotensive women (n = 22) were included. Plasma levels of coenzyme Q10 were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Plasma coenzyme Q10 levels were significantly higher in normal pregnant women (mean = 1.08, SEM = 0.08 umol/l; p <.005) in comparison to nonpregnant women (mean = 0.86, SEM = 0.16 umol/l) and women with preeclampsia (mean = 0.7, SEM = 0.03 umol/l; p <.0001). These results demonstrated that during preeclampsia there is a significant decrease in plasma levels of coenzyme Q10 compared to normal pregnant women, and compared to those who are not pregnant.