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Jing Zheng,
Chenming Xu,
Jing Guo,
Yuan Wei,
Huijuan Ge,
Xuchao Li,
Chunlei Zhang,
Haojun Jiang,
Ling Pan,
Weiping Tang,
Weiwei Xie,
Hongyun Zhang,
Yangyu Zhao,
Fuman Jiang,
Shengpei Chen,
Wei Wang,
Xun Xu,
Fang Chen, Hefeng Huang,
Hui Jiang
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ABSTRACT: Currently very few noninvasive molecular genetic approaches are available to determine zygosity for twin pregnancies in clinical laboratories. This study aimed to develop a novel method to determine zygosity by using maternal plasma target region sequencing.
We constructed a statistic model to calculate the possibility of each zygosity type using likelihood ratios ( Li ) and empirical dynamic thresholds targeting at 4,524 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) loci on 22 autosomes. Then two dizygotic (DZ) twin pregnancies,two monozygotic (MZ) twin pregnancies and two singletons were recruited to evaluate the performance of our novel method. Finally we estimated the sensitivity and specificity of the model in silico under different cell-free fetal DNA (cff-DNA) concentration and sequence depth. RESULTSCONCLUSIONS: We obtained 8.90 Gbp sequencing data on average for six clinical samples. Two samples were classified as DZ with L values of 1.891 and 1.554, higher than the dynamic DZ cut-off values of 1.162 and 1.172, respectively. Another two samples were judged as MZ with 0.763 and 0.784 of L values, lower than the MZ cut-off values of 0.903 and 0.918. And the rest two singleton samples were regarded as MZ twins, with L values of 0.639 and 0.757, lower than the MZ cut-off values of 0.921 and 0.799. In silico, the estimated sensitivity of our noninvasive zygosity determination was 99.90% under 10% total cff-DNA concentration with 2 Gbp sequence data. As the cff-DNA concentration increased to 15%, the specificity was as high as 97% with 3.50 Gbp sequence data, much higher than 80% with 10% cff-DNA concentration.
This study presents the feasibility to noninvasively determine zygosity of twin pregnancy using target region sequencing, and illustrates the sensitivity and specificity under various detecting condition. Our method can act as an alternative approach for zygosity determination of twin pregnancies in clinical practice.
PLoS ONE 01/2013; 8(6):e65050. · 4.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) occurs in about 1% of female population under the age of 40, leading to reproductive problems, an earlier encounter with menopausal symptoms, and complicated diseases. There are three presumable mechanisms involved in the development of POI, namely apoptosis acceleration, follicular maturation blocking and premature follicle activation, through the following studied causes: (i) chromosomal abnormalities or gene mutations: mostly involve X chromosome, such as FMR1 premutation; more and more potentially causal genes have been screened recently; (ii) metabolic disorders such as classic galactosaemia and 17-OH deficiency; (iii) autoimmune mediated ovarian damage: observed alone or with some certain autoimmune disorders and syndromes; but the specificity and sensitivity of antibodies towards ovary are still questionable; (iv) iatrogenic: radiotherapy or chemotherapy used in cancer treatment, as well as pelvic surgery with potential threat to ovaries' blood supply can directly damage ovarian function; (v) virus infection such as HIV and mumps; (vi) toxins and other environmental/lifestyle factors: cigarette smoking, toxins (e.g., 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide), and other environmental factors are associated with the development of POI. The etiology of a majority of POI cases is not identified, and is believed to be multifactorial. Strategies to POI include hormone replacement and infertility treatment. Assisted conception with donated oocytes has been proven to achieve pregnancy in POI women. Embryo cryopreservation, ovarian tissue cryopreservation and oocyte cryopreservation have been used to preserve ovarian reserve in women undergoing cancer treatments.
Science China. Life sciences 08/2012; 55(8):677-86. · 2.02 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research was to investigate the effects of in vitro maturation (IVM) on the expression of imprinted genes in offspring, and to identify possible regulatory mechanisms for these genes. RESULTS: By using an IVM mouse model, mRNA expression of H19 was found down-regulated and Kcnq1ot1 was up-regulated in brains of IVM offspring. Of the differentially methylated regions (DMRs) of H19, CpG island 3 was found to have higher DNA methylation levels in IVM group compared with the control group; in contrast, Kcnq1ot1 showed a significant reduction in DNA methylation in IVM mice by using the bisulfite sequence PCR and pyrosequencing. However, Igf2 and Snrpn showed no significant differences in expression of mRNA or DNA methylation levels between the IVM and control groups. In conclusion, IVM could affect the expression of imprinted genes in the brains of IVM offspring, which could be induced by DNA methylation alterations.
Reproductive Toxicology 05/2012; 34(3):420-8. · 3.23 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: It has been demonstrated that progesterone has immune suppressive properties and can inhibit Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-triggered immune response. Multiple microRNAs are induced in innate immune cells, among them miR-155, miR-146a and miR-21 are particularly ubiquitous. In this study, we investigated the potential roles of miR-155 in progesterone-mediated regulation of innate immune responses. We found that progesterone pre-treatment suppressed LPS- and poly(I:C)-induced miR-155 expression in macrophages. Increasing the activity of miR-155, significantly attenuated the progesterone's inhibition on LPS-induced IL-6 as well as LPS- and poly(I:C)-induced IFN-β expression in macrophages. Furthermore, we demonstrated that progesterone up-regulated LPS-induced SOCS1 expression while overexpression of miR-155 inhibited SOCS1 expression. In conclusion, the present study has demonstrated that progesterone suppresses TLRs-triggered immune response by regulating miR-155, and the decreased miR-155 contributes to inhibit TLR-induced IL-6 and IFN-β via increased SOCS1 expression.
Immunology letters 04/2012; 146(1-2):25-30. · 2.91 Impact Factor
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Dan Zhang,
Pingping Lv,
Runju Zhang,
Qiong Luo,
Guolian Ding,
Lijun Yin,
Jingyi Li,
Gufeng Xu,
Fan Qu,
Jianzhong Sheng, Hefeng Huang
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ABSTRACT: To explore and develop a new in vitro implantation model that reflects the main process of embryo attachment and invasion.
One of the limitations in human embryo implantation research is lack of an available in vitro model that faithfully replicates human embryo-uterine interactions. In the present study, we examined the attachment and invasiveness of blastocysts from mice in Ishikawa cell (IK), a human endometrial cell, to clarify whether this new model is suitable to study implantation of embryos. We used IK and placed it in contact with blastocysts to initiate coculture experiments using a specifically designed medium. The culture medium was composed of Ham F-12/Dulbecco's modified Eagle medium (1:1), 30% fetal calf serum, 63.5 nmol/L progesterone, 7.14 nmol/L estradiol-17β, 100 mg/ml of insulin, and 20 ng/ml epidermal growth factor. The culture for 24 h clearly demonstrated that embryos were capable of attachment to the IK and displayed partial invasion.
Our results showed that embryos attached to the IK and displayed partial invasion after coculture of blastocysts with IK for 48 h.
The model is capable of demonstrating the procedure of attachment and invasion of embryo into the endometrial cells and has promises to be used in studies related to early embryo implantation in human endometrium.
Gynecological Endocrinology 11/2011; 28(4):288-92. · 1.58 Impact Factor
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Ning Wang,
Liya Wang,
Fang Le,
Qitao Zhan,
Yingming Zheng,
Guolian Ding,
Xijing Chen,
Jianzhong Sheng,
Minyue Dong, Hefeng Huang,
Fan Jin
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ABSTRACT: Despite the efforts to recapitulate the follicle environment, oocytes from in vitro maturation (IVM) have poorer developmental potential than those matured in vivo and the effects on the resultant offspring are of concern. The aim of this study was to determine altered gene expression in oocytes following IVM and to evaluate the expression of the arginine rich, mutated in early stage of tumors gene (Armet) and mitochondrial ribosomal protein L51 (Mrpl51) in embryos and brains of fetal/postnatal mice and the brain development of IVM offspring. An IVM mouse model was established while oocytes matured in vivo were used as the controls. Suppressive subtractive hybridization (SSH) and RT-PCR/western blot were used to analyze the differential expression of genes/proteins between IVM and the control group. HE staining and water maze were used to assess the histological changes in brain tissue and cognition of the offspring. The rates of fertilization, cleavage, and live birth were significantly decreased in IVM group. Thirteen genes were upregulated in IVM oocytes compared with the control, including Armet and Mrpl51. The higher level of Armet in IVM oocytes was retained in brain of newborn mice, which could be related to the upregulation of activating transcription factor 6 (Atf6) and X-box binding protein 1 (Xbp1), while Mrpl51 was expressed normally in brain of postnatal mice. No significant differences were detected in brain weight, neuronal counts, and the cognition in the offspring between the two groups. The present results suggested that IVM could affect the pregnancy outcome and the Armet and Mrpl51 gene/protein expression. The change in Armet expression lasted while the change of Mrpl51 disappeared after birth. However, the brain development of the offspring seemed to be unaffected by IVM.
Reproduction 09/2011; 142(3):401-8. · 2.58 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aims were to clarify the effect of placental trophoblasts on T lymphocytes by assessing production of cytokines and expression of transcription factors regulating Th1, Th2, and Th17 immunity in T lymphocytes. Placental trophoblasts were isolated and conditioned medium was made after trophoblast cultivation for 72 h. T lymphocytes were cultured in presence or absence of conditioned medium. ELISA was used to detect concentration of IL-2, TNF-α, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10, and IL-17 in supernatants of T cell and real-time PCR was used to detect the status of Th1 (T-bet, STAT-4), Th2 (GATA-3, STAT-6), and Th17 (RORC) immunity in T lymphocyte. We found that the level of IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-17 was significantly decreased when T lymphocytes were cultured in conditioned medium compared with control, while IL-10 and IL-4 level were not significantly changed. The presence of conditioned medium significantly decreased the ratio of Th1/Th2. The expression of GATA-3 and STAT-6 were significantly increased and STAT-4 was reduced when T lymphocyte was cultured in conditioned medium, while the expression of T-bet and RORC was not significantly different. We concluded that placental trophoblast-induced shift of Th1/Th2 balance toward Th2 and inhibition of Th17 might be among the mechanisms involved in maternal tolerance to fetus.
Apmis 09/2011; 119(9):597-604. · 1.99 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to use a mouse model to gain an understanding of the safety of reproduction between humans conceived through assisted reproductive technology (ART). Mice derived from in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) were crossed. Their behavior, morphology, histology and genome-wide DNA methylation status in the brain were examined by the Morris water maze, H&E staining and methylated DNA immunoprecipitation coupled with DNA methylation microarrays. Although no significant differences in behavior or morphology were observed, we did find small clusters of CpG islands and promoters that were aberrantly methylated. Hypermethylation was more common than hypomethylation in each of the two generations. Some of the aberrant methylated promoters were validated by bisulfite sequencing. Our results show that IVF may slightly modify the somatic methylation pattern and that some of this aberrant methylation might be inherited by the following generation.
Reproductive Toxicology 06/2011; 32(1):98-105. · 3.23 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To examine the effect of assisted reproductive technology on the stability of DNA methylation at differentially methylated regions (DMRs) in twins conceived by IVF.
Prospective clinical observational study.
IVF center, university-affiliated teaching hospital.
Fifty-nine pairs of twins were recruited, including 29 pairs conceived through IVF and 30 pairs of naturally conceived twins.
Collection of umbilical cord blood samples.
DNA was extracted from umbilical cord blood. Two maternally methylated regions (KvDMR1 and PEG1) and one paternally methylated region (H19/IGF2 DMR) were analyzed using bisulfite-based technologies.
Although H19/IGF2 DMR and KvDMR1 showed slightly more variable levels of methylation in IVF cases than in spontaneous cases, methylation indices did not reveal significant differences at three DMRs between IVF-conceived and naturally conceived twins.
Our results suggest no significant increase in imprint variability at these DMRs, but the greater variance in the IVF twins has a biologically meaningful consequence and may be a topic for future investigation. Large cohorts are needed to systematically assess the potential epigenetic risk in twins conceived with IVF.
Fertility and sterility 03/2011; 95(6):1975-9. · 3.97 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To explore the effects of overweight and obesity on the outcomes of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) in Chinese infertile patients.
A retrospective cohort study was carried out in 2222 normal weight (18.5 <or= BMI < 25), 379 overweight (25 <or= BMI < 30) and 27 obese (BMI >or= 30) women who underwent their first IVF cycles between 2002 and 2008. Cycle characteristics and IVF outcomes were analysed.
Obese women required significantly higher dose of rFSH (3272 IU vs. 2587 IU, p < 0.001) and days of stimulation (11.89 +/- 4.57 vs. 10.42 +/- 2.03, p < 0.001), but exhibited less oocytes retrieved and significantly lower fertilisation rate (54.1% vs. 61.1%, p < 0.001) than normal weight women. Compared with normal weight women, overweight women displayed significantly less oocytes retrieved (12.98 +/- 6.91 vs. 14.49 +/- 7.96, p < 0.001), lower fertilisation rate (60.8 +/- 23.3 vs. 61.1 +/- 23.0, p < 0.001), less cleavaged embryos (7.55 +/- 4.86 vs. 8.67 +/- 5.90, p < 0.001), less high-grade embryos (4.65 +/- 3.96 vs. 5.59 +/- 4.81, p < 0.001) and cryopreserved embryos (4.44 +/- 4.55 vs. 5.49 +/- 5.55, p < 0.001). All parameters of pregnancy outcomes, including pregnancy rate, miscarriage rate and live birth rate, were comparable among three groups.
Overweight and obesity are related with impared ovarian response, and negatively affect the outcomes of IVF.
Gynecological Endocrinology 03/2010; 26(5):325-32. · 1.58 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Although progesterone has been recognized as essential for the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy, this steroid hormone has been implicated to have a functional role in immune response, mainly at concentrations commensurate with pregnancy. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully understood. Here we present the evidences that progesterone inhibited immune response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and CpG oligodeoxynucleotides (CpG ODNs) through modulating Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling. Pretreatment with progesterone can significantly inhibit TLR4 and TLR9-triggered IL-6 and nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophages. Furthermore, we found that progesterone can significantly inhibit LPS-induced nitric oxide synthesis (iNOS), TLR4 expression and nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activation. Consistently, as a negative feedback inhibitor, the expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS1) protein was up-regulated by progesterone in LPS-stimulated macrophages. These results support the concept that progesterone might inhibit innate immune response by suppressing NF-kappaB activation and enhancement of SOCS1 expression, providing a possible mechanistic explanation for the function of progesterone in regulating innate immune responses.
Immunology letters 08/2009; 125(2):151-5. · 2.91 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To report an unusual case of congenital cervical atresia and tubal factor infertility, achieving triplet pregnancy through transmyometrial embryo transfer (ET) resulting in the delivery of healthy twins after multifetal pregnancy reduction (MFPR).
Case report and literature review.
University hospital.
Controlled ovarian hyperstimulation, oocyte retrieval, in vitro fertilization, transmyometrial ET, MFPR procedure for triplet pregnancy.
A 33-year-old patient with endometriosis-associated and tubal factor infertility who underwent uterovaginal canalization surgery for congenital cervical atresia 9 years ago.
Successful delivery after transmyometrial ET followed by MFPR.
A total of three IVF cycles and four procedures of transmyometrial ET were performed. In the third cycle a triplet pregnancy was achieved. MFPR was performed 35 days after embryos transfer, two healthy babies delivered at 31 weeks gestation.
With aggressive therapy, successful pregnancy is possible in similar patients.
Fertility and sterility 04/2009; 91(5):1958.e1-3. · 3.97 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To report the first clinical experience of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) for X-linked agammaglobulinemia (XLA), which resulted from a point mutation in Bruton's tyrosine kinase (BTK) gene.
Case report.
Clinical IVF laboratory.
A couple carrying BTK gene mutation (c.832C>T) that is associated with XLA.
Day 3 embryos, obtained by IVF with intracytoplasmic sperm injection, underwent blastomere biopsy and DNA testing via nest polymerase chain reaction and restriction enzyme analysis to detect the presence of a maternal BTK mutation.
Successful PGD for a BTK gene mutation and transfer of healthy embryos.
The patient received two PGD cycles. In total, 19 oocytes were fertilized, 15 embryos were suitable for embryo biopsy, 6 were diagnosed as unaffected, 6 were carriers, 2 were mutant, and the remaining 1 did not provide any diagnosis. In two treatment cycles, two ETs of three embryos each were performed. Unfortunately no pregnancy was achieved.
We are the first to report a case of PGD for XLA. The result indicates that PGD is feasible for this genetic disease and may represent a viable alternative to prenatal diagnosis with the subsequent option of terminating an affected pregnancy.
Fertility and sterility 03/2009; 91(5):1958.e5-7. · 3.97 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To explore the effects of GengNianLe (GNL, also called perimenopausal depression relieving formula), a defined formula of Chinese medicinal herbs in relieving perimenopausal depression in Chinese women.
Between September 2004 and April 2008, 47 Chinese women were randomized into a GNL group (n = 21) and a control group which received tibolone (n = 26) using a randomization chart. Depression was rated with the 24-item Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD). The serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and estradiol (E(2)) were detected before and after the treatment.
After 12 weeks of treatment, HAMD scores in both groups decreased significantly (p < 0.05) with no significant difference between the groups (p > 0.05). The levels of FSH decreased significantly and the level of E(2) increased significantly in both groups, and they changed more in the control group. No side-effect of treatment was reported in either group during treatment.
The Chinese medicinal formula GNL showed promise in relieving perimenopausal depression and merits further study.
Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, N.Y.) 01/2009; 15(1):93-100. · 1.69 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: The aim of the present study was to explore whether acupuncture may improve the absorption of baicalin from the extracts of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in rats with pelvic inflammation. 24 female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into groups A (a combination of oral administration of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extracts and acupuncture), B (oral administration of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extracts), C (model group) and D (normal control group), with 6 rats in each group. After treatment, the plasma concentration of baicalin was determined using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and Interleukin 6 (IL-6) were detected with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The results showed that the plasma concentration of baicalin in group A was significantly higher than in group B, and the serum levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in group A were significantly lower than in group B. This indicates that acupuncture at certain acupoints may significantly improve the curative effects of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi in rats with pelvic inflammation by enhancing the absorption of baicalin from the Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi extracts.
Forschende Komplementärmedizin / Research in Complementary Medicine 11/2008; 15(5):282-5. · 1.65 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: In the report an adolescent female patient who suffered from continuous lower abdominal distending pain with an ovarian cyst was successfully cured with Chinese herbs. Chinese herbs were orally administered for 18 days, after which all of the symptoms and the ovarian cyst disappeared.
Phytotherapy Research 11/2008; 22(12):1682-3. · 2.09 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To investigate the fertilization ability, chromatin structure, and DNA integrity of spermatozoa after being cryopreserved within an empty zona pellucida (ZP).
Prospective study.
Reproductive research center in a university-affiliated hospital.
Normozoospermic patients.
Spermatozoa were cryopreserved within the ZP or with traditional methods.
The sperm recovery rate, sperm motility, fertilization ability, chromatin structure, and DNA integrity were assessed before and after cryopreservation.
Significantly higher sperm recovery rate was identified for the spermatozoa cryopreserved within the ZP than those cryopreserved with traditional methods, but the motility recovery was similar. Frozen-thawed samples showed increased damage to the sperm chromatin and DNA, which were assessed by acridine orange test (AO) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUDP nick-end labeling assay; however, no difference of chromatin and DNA integrity was observed for spermatozoa cryopreserved within the ZP or with traditional methods. In addition, the fertilization ability, as assessed by injecting spermatozoa into hamster oocytes, was similar for spermatozoa cryopreserved with different cryopreservation methods.
Cryopreservation of spermatozoa within an empty ZP results in higher sperm recovery rate, and the post-thaw sperm functions of spermatozoa cryopreserved within the ZP are comparable with spermatozoa cryopreserved with traditional methods.
Fertility and sterility 10/2008; 92(3):1002-8. · 3.97 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To verify the hypothesis that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) attenuates Nomega-Nitro-L-arginine Methyl Ester (L-NAME)-induced preeclampsia-like manifestations in rats.
Forty pregnant Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, preeclampsia model, VEGF treatment, and VEGF prophylactic. On day 5 of gestation, L-NAME was injected subcutaneously in rats of the preeclampsia model, VEGF treatment, and VEGF prophylactic groups. VEGF was given after the occurrence of hypertension and proteinuria in the VEGF treatment group and from day 5 in the VEGF prophylactic group. Blood pressure was monitored and urine protein was assayed. Blood platelet was counted, and serum nitric oxide metabolites, endothelin-1, 6-keto-PGF-1alpha, and TXB2 were determined.
Blood pressure increased significantly on day 8 of gestation in the preeclampsia model and VEGF treatment groups compared with control (p < 0.05 for both) and remained elevated through the pregnancy in the preeclampsia model group. Blood pressure was significantly decreased after the administration of VEGF in the VEGF treatment group (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in blood pressure between the VEGF prophylactic group and control (p > 0.05). Urine protein, platelet count, serum nitric oxide metabolites, endothelin-1, 6-keto-PGF-1alpha, and TXB2 were significantly different between control and the preeclampsia model group (p < 0.05), but not between control and the VEGF treatment or VEGF prophylactic groups (p > 0.05 for all).
VEGF attenuates L-NAME-induced preeclampsia-like manifestations in rats, suggesting the important role of VEGF in preeclampsia and providing a potential strategy for the prevention and treatment of preeclampsia.
Clinical and Experimental Hypertension 10/2008; 30(7):606-15. · 1.07 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common, yet heterogeneous and complex, endocrine disorders in women of reproductive age. Although the aetiology of PCOS remains uncertain, emerging evidence has indicated that exposure of the female fetus to the hyperandrogenism milieu in utero may result in PCOS phenotype after birth. Such a phenomenon has been formulated as the fetal origin of PCOS, which intends to give a possible explanation for PCOS aetiology. Given that the epigenetic modifications are usually involved in the development and inheritance of many adult diseases with fetal origin, we propose a hypothesis here referred to as "epigenetic abnormality underlying the fetal origin of PCOS". It states that in utero hyperandrogenism exposure may disturb the epigenetic reprogramming in fetal reproductive tissue, thereby resulting in postnatal POCS phenotype in women of reproductive age. Meanwhile, the incomplete erasure of such epigenetic abnormality in germ cells after fertilization may promote the transgenerational inherence of POCS. Thus, this epigenetic abnormality hypothesis has established a novel mechanism for PCOS development and inheritance. If verified, our hypothesis would open new avenues for the possible intervention at the critical period of prenatal life to prevent PCOS development and inheritance in adult women. Moreover, analysis of the epigenetic phenotypes and identification of specific epigenetic changes may help develop new tools for monitoring fetal development under an in utero hyperandrogenism environment.
Medical Hypotheses 02/2008; 70(3):638-42. · 1.39 Impact Factor
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ABSTRACT: To characterise the changes in serum visfatin levels in late normal pregnancy and pre-eclampsia.
Twenty-seven women with pre-eclampsia were recruited. Twenty-eight women in the third trimester of normal pregnancy served as pregnant control and 28 healthy non-pregnant women as non-pregnant control. Serum levels of visfatin were measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
The means of serum visfatin were 626.4+/-45.5 ng/ml (mean+/-SEM) in non-pregnant control, 695.9+/-92.5 ng/ml in pregnant control, and 308.3+/-80.0 ng/ml in pre-eclampsia, respectively, and were significantly different among the groups (p<0.001). Visfatin level was significantly lower in pre-eclampsia compared to non-pregnant control (p=0.004) and pregnant control (p<0.001). Women with severe pre-eclampsia had a significantly lower serum visfatin level than those with mild pre-eclampsia (114.6+/-80.9 versus 425.2+/-122.1 ng/ml, p=0.037).
A decrease in visfatin level was demonstrated in pre-eclampsia, suggesting that visfatin and adipokine-associated metabolic abnormalities are involved in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica 02/2008; 87(4):413-8. · 1.77 Impact Factor
