A Biochemical study to evaluate the antioxidant status and antiangiogenic factor Soluble-fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1) in preeclamptic women

Abstract

Preeclampsia (PE) is a severe hypertensive multisystem disorder characterized by sudden onset of proteinuria and hypertension by the 20th week of gestation. It is a serious condition causing maternal and fetal deaths worldwide and complicates 2-8% of pregnancies. The present study illustrated the demographic, clinical, biochemical, and hormonal data analysis of preeclamptic patients. A total of pregnant women (n=200), divided into two groups, PE (n=100) and control (n=100). The demographic data and medical history were collected from each subject with their informed consent. Blood, urine, and placenta samples were also taken from both groups. Urine samples were tested for protein concentration The blood was centrifuged, and plasma was collected. The blood and placental tissues were processed for biochemical analysis of soluble fms like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1) and antioxidants levels. The odds ratio, the independent sample t-test, and the Chi-square test were used to statistically examine the data. The role of antioxidant enzymes and antiangiogenic factor sFlt1 in PE and normotensive pregnant women was investigated in the present study. Proteinuria was found to be significantly higher in the PE group (p<0.001) than in the control group. Significant decrease in glutathione-s-transferase (GST) (p<0.001), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) (p<0.001), reduced glutathione (GSH) (p<0.001) and glutathione reductase (GSR) (p=0.01) levels were observed in the PE placental homogenates compared to control. Similarly, GPx (p<0.001), GSH (p<0.001), GST (p<0.01), and GSR (p<0.05) levels were decreased significantly in the plasma of PE patients as compared to control. In the current investigation, improper trophoblast invasion, poor spiral artery remodeling, placental hypoxia, and angiogenic factor imbalance were found to be key contributors to PE. The study concluded that the increased levels of sFlt1 are directly related to the severity of PE as it is the major cause of endothelial dysfunction. Decreased levels of plasma and placental antioxidants depict oxidative stress during the disease. Preeclampsia is a major public health problem in Pakistan and around the world. Obstetricians find it difficult to diagnose and treat this condition because of its severity, unclear etiology, and complex pathophysiology. There are currently no viable treatments for this pregnancy complication. Hence, PE prognostic and diagnostic biomarkers are critical for developing a proper diagnosis, treatment, and management of feto-maternal health.