Publication Details
Abstract
Preeclampsia is a hypertensive disorder associated with pregnancy and a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality in the world. The pathogenesis of abnormal placentation, endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and inflammatory response has been implicated and is increasingly recognized as playing important roles. The current study was designed to assess the serum level of β-catenin, calcium and zinc in women with preeclampsia and to examine the relationships between β-catenin and lipid profile parameters levels. A case-control study was performed in 60 third trimester pregnant women, 30 women with preeclampsia and 30 healthy pregnant controls. Serum β-catenin was quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and calcium, zinc, total cholesterol and triglycerides were assayed by standard biochemical methods. The independent-samples t-test and Pearson's correlation analysis were used to perform the statistical analysis. The results demonstrated that, serum β-catenin, calcium and zinc levels were significantly decreased in women with preeclampsia compared with healthy controls (P < 0.001), while the levels of total cholesterol and triglycerides were significantly increased (P < 0.001). Moreover, serum β-catenin had significant negative correlations with total cholesterol and triglycerides, as well as positive associations with calcium and zinc levels. No correlation was found between the BMI and β-catenin. The results indicated that decreased serum β-catenin, calcium and zinc levels are correlated with the onset of preeclampsia and may be helpful biochemical markers for the diagnosis of preeclampsia. Larger cohorts are suggested to validate these results and to establish their clinical relevance.