Szilvia Walentin

Serum leptin levels in relation to circulating cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules and angiogenic factors in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia.

ObjectiveIn this study, we determined circulating levels of C-reactive protein, several cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules and angiogenic factors along with those of leptin in healthy non-pregnant and pregnant women and preeclamptic patients, and investigated whether serum leptin levels were related to the clinical characteristics and measured laboratory parameters of the study participants.MethodsSixty preeclamptic patients, 60 healthy pregnant women and 59 healthy non-pregnant women were involved in this case-control study. Levels of leptin and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 in maternal sera were assessed by ELISA. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-12p70, IL-18, interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interferon-gamma-inducible protein (IP)-10, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 were determined by multiplex suspension array. Serum C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations were measured by an autoanalyzer. Serum total soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and biologically active placental growth factor (PlGF) levels were determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. For statistical analyses, non-parametric methods were applied.ResultsThere were significant differences in most of the measured laboratory parameters among the three study groups except for serum IL-1beta and TGF-beta1 levels. Serum leptin levels were significantly higher in preeclamptic patients and healthy pregnant women than in healthy non-pregnant women. Additionally, preeclamptic patients had significantly higher leptin levels as compared to healthy pregnant women. Serum leptin levels were independently associated with BMI in healthy non-pregnant women. In healthy pregnant women, both BMI and serum CRP concentrations showed significant positive linear association with leptin levels. There were significant positive correlations between serum leptin concentrations of healthy pregnant women and systolic blood pressure, as well as serum levels of IP-10, while their serum leptin levels correlated inversely with fetal birth weight. In preeclamptic patients, a significant positive correlation was observed between serum concentrations of leptin and IP-10. Furthermore, elevated serum leptin level and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio had an additive (joint) effect in the risk of preeclampsia, as shown by the substantially higher odds ratios of their combination than of either alone.ConclusionsSimultaneous measurement of leptin with several inflammatory molecules and angiogenic factors in this study enabled us to investigate their relationship, which can help to understand the role of circulating leptin in normal pregnancy and preeclampsia.

Circulating angiogenic factors determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay in relation to the clinical features and laboratory parameters in women with pre-eclampsia.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether increased serum soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and decreased placental growth factor (PlGF) levels in pre-eclampsia are related to the clinical features and laboratory parameters of the patients, including markers of inflammation, endothelial activation and injury, oxidative stress and trophoblast debris. A total of 54 pre-eclamptic patients, 58 healthy pregnant and 52 healthy non-pregnant women were involved in this case–control study. Serum sFlt-1 and PlGF levels were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Serum levels of sFlt-1 and PlGF were significantly higher in pre-eclamptic patients and healthy pregnant women than in healthy non-pregnant women. In addition, pre-eclamptic patients had significantly higher sFlt-1 levels and significantly lower PlGF concentrations compared with healthy pregnant women. According to the subgroup analyses, sFlt-1 levels were significantly higher in severely pre-eclamptic patients than in those with mild pre-eclampsia, whereas pre-eclamptic patients with fetal growth restriction or preterm onset of the disease had significantly lower PlGF concentrations compared with those without intrauterine growth restriction or with a disease onset at term. In the pre-eclamptic group, there were significant positive correlations between serum sFlt-1 levels and systolic and diastolic blood pressure, serum levels of blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, as well as plasma levels of von Willebrand factor antigen, fibronectin and cell-free fetal DNA. Furthermore, serum PlGF concentrations of pre-eclamptic patients showed significant positive correlations with gestational age at disease onset and delivery, as well as with fetal birth weight, and significant inverse correlations with levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine and fibronectin. In conclusion, increased serum sFlt-1 and decreased PlGF levels are associated with blood pressure, renal and endothelial dysfunction, trophoblast deportation, as well as with a shorter duration of pregnancy, fetal growth restriction, the severity and preterm onset of the disease in pre-eclampsia. These findings indicate the central role of an angiogenic imbalance in the pathogenesis of this pregnancy-specific disorder.

Serum heat shock protein 70 levels in relation to circulating cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules and angiogenic factors in women with preeclampsia

BACKGROUND We have previously reported that serum levels of 70 kDa heat shock protein (Hsp70, HSPA1A) are increased and reflect systemic inflammation, oxidative stress and hepatocellular injury in preeclampsia. The purpose of this study was to determine whether increased serum Hsp70 concentrations in women with preeclampsia are related to circulating levels of cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules and angiogenic factors, the key players in the pathogenesis of the disease. METHODS Sixty preeclamptic patients and 60 normotensive, healthy pregnant women were involved in this case-control study. Levels of Hsp70 (HSPA1A) and transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 in maternal sera were assessed by ELISA. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-1 beta, IL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-12p70, IL-18, interferon (IFN)-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interferon-gamma-inducible protein (IP)-10, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 were determined by multiplex suspension array. Serum total soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and biologically active placental growth factor (PlGF) levels were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. For statistical analyses, the Mann-Whitney U-test, the Fisher exact and Pearson chi-square tests, the Spearman rank order correlation, multiple linear regression and logistic regression were applied. RESULTS Serum levels of Hsp70 were significantly higher in preeclamptic patients than in healthy pregnant women. Additionally, most of the measured inflammatory variables differed significantly between the two study groups except for serum IL-1 beta and TGF-beta1 levels and IL-18/IL-12p70 and IL-12p70/IL-12p40 ratios, indicating a bias toward a pro-inflammatory status in preeclampsia. Preeclamptic patients had significantly higher sFlt-1 levels and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio and significantly lower PlGF concentrations as compared to healthy pregnant women. In the preeclamptic group, serum Hsp70 concentrations showed significant correlations with serum levels of IL-12p40 (R=0.59, p<0.001), MCP-1 (R=0.43, p<0.001), ICAM-1 (R=0.39, p=0.0020) and VCAM-1 (R=0.46, p<0.001). Furthermore, elevated serum Hsp70 level and sFlt-1/PlGF ratio had a synergistic (joint) effect in the risk of preeclampsia, as shown by the substantially higher odds ratios of their combination than of either alone. CONCLUSIONS Increased serum Hsp70 concentrations in women with preeclampsia were associated with pro-inflammatory changes in circulating cytokine profile, suggesting that circulating Hsp70 might contribute to the development of the excessive systemic inflammatory response characteristic of the maternal syndrome of the disease.

Endothelial cell function in patients with hereditary angioedema: Elevated soluble E-selectin level during inter-attack periods

BackgroundThe bradykinin pathway in the pathomechanism of hereditary angioedema due to C1-inhibitor deficiency (henceforward “hereditary angioedema”) has been thoroughly studied; however, much less is known about endothelial cell function. Enhanced endothelial cell permeability is obvious during edematous attacks, but not during inter-attack periods. Our knowledge about other endothelial characteristics is even more incomplete.ObjectiveTherefore the aim of this study was to characterize endothelial cell function in hereditary angioedema patients during symptom-free, inter-attack periods.MethodsWe measured the serum levels of soluble E-selectin, endothelin-1, and von Willebrand factor along with collagen-binding activity in 49 hereditary angioedema patients and in 50 healthy controls.ResultsEndothelin-1 and von Willebrand factor level, as well as its collagen-binding activity, were similar in hereditary angioedema patients and in controls; however, we found elevated soluble E-selectin levels in the patients. Interestingly, soluble E-selectin concentration did not correlate with any of the inflammatory markers or smoking, and it is not the consequence of the known E-selectin/C1-inhibitor interaction (an analytical phenomenon). In a multiple logistic regression model, the difference in soluble E-selectin between hereditary angioedema patients and controls remained highly significant when adjusted for age, gender, smoking, C-reactive protein, and AB0 blood groups.ConclusionThese results demonstrate that in hereditary angioedema, the majority of endothelial functions are normal during inter-attack periods; however, soluble E-selectin levels are elevated. The higher soluble E-selectin plasma concentration is unlikely to result from inflammation; rather, it reflects enhanced shedding mechanisms.

Circulating levels of the anti‐angiogenic thrombospondin 2 are elevated in pre‐eclampsia

An imbalance of maternal circulating pro‐ and anti‐angiogenic factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of pre‐eclampsia. Thrombospondin 2 (TSP‐2) is a protein expressed mainly by activated endothelial cells, which acts as a potent anti‐angiogenic agent. Our aim was to determine whether serum TSP‐2 levels are altered in pre‐eclampsia. We enrolled 35 pre‐eclamptic patients and 35 healthy pregnant women in the study. Thrombospondin 2 levels were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, while soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase‐1 (sFlt‐1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) concentrations were determined by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. In patients with PE, we demonstrated 1.7‐fold higher TSP‐2 [13.2 (9.4–18.1) vs. 7.9 (7.2–11.2) ng/ml, p<0.001], 3.8‐fold higher sFlt‐1 and 4.3‐fold lower PlGF levels compared with the control group. There were no associations between TSP‐2 and sFlt‐1 or PlGF concentrations. We suggest that circulating TSP‐2 levels may contribute to the pathogenesis of PE via its anti‐angiogenic properties, but in a distinct way from sFlt‐1 and PlGF.

High levels of C‐reactive protein with low total cholesterol concentrations additively predict all‐cause mortality in patients with coronary artery disease

Background This study aimed to investigate independent and additive predictive effects of raised C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels and decreased total cholesterol levels on mortality in patients with chronic coronary artery disease (CAD). Low total cholesterol (TC) levels are associated with worsened survival in chronic and acute diseases. Elevated CRP level is an important predictor of vascular events and mortality in patients with CAD. Potential inhibition of immune activation by circulating lipoproteins could be a link between cholesterol and inflammatory markers.

Decreased circulating anandamide levels in preeclampsia

The endocannabinoid system has a key role in female reproduction, including implantation, decidualization and placentation. A growing number of studies indicate that placental and peripheral blood anandamide levels correlate closely with both spontaneous miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy. Anandamide has also been implicated in blood pressure regulation. In this study, we aimed to determine circulating anandamide levels in preeclampsia for the first time in the literature. Forty-three preeclamptic patients and 71 healthy pregnant women were involved in this case–control study. Serum anandamide concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technique. Serum total soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and biologically active placental growth factor (PlGF) levels were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. For statistical analyses, nonparametric methods were applied. Serum levels of anandamide were significantly lower in preeclamptic patients than in healthy pregnant women (0.75 (0.44–1.03) ng ml−1 vs. 1.30 (0.76–2.0) ng ml−1, P<0.001). Preeclamptic patients had significantly higher sFlt-1 levels (12 121 (7963–18 316) pg ml−1 vs. 2299 (1393–3179) pg ml−1, P<0.001) and significantly lower PlGF concentrations (71.2 (39.2–86.4) pg ml−1 vs. 256.8 (181.1–421.0) pg ml−1, P<0.001) as compared with healthy pregnant women. Serum anandamide concentrations did not correlate with serum levels of sFlt-1 and PlGF in our healthy pregnant and preeclamptic groups. In conclusion, we demonstrated for the first time in the literature that serum anandamide concentrations are decreased in women with preeclampsia. However, the cause and consequence of this observation remain to be determined.