Endothelial Dysfunction In Preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a complication of pregnancy characterized by hypertension, edema, and proteinuria. Based on these signs, it is suggested that endothelial dysfunction plays a role in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia. The aims of this study were to know whether endothelial dysfunction occur in preeclampsia by measuring the level of sVCAM-1, von Willebrand factor, and fibrin monomer. The relationship between markers of endothelial dysfunction and blood pressure would also be sought. In this cross-sectional study, 30 women at the 24–42 weeks of pregnancy with preeklampsia, were enrolled and control group comprised of fullterm pregnant women. The level of sVCAM-1 was determined by ELISA method using reagents from R&D system, while vWF level was measured by enzyme linked fluorescent assay (ELFA) using reagent from VIDAS bioMerieux, and fibrin monomer was detected by ethanol gelation test. The mean of sVCAM-1 level in the preeklampsia group and in the control group were 576.4 ng/mL, and 375.7 ng/mL, respectively while the standard deviation were 58.3 ng/mL, and 43 ng/mL, respectively. The mean of vWF level in the preeklampsia group and in the control group were 305.3% and 162.4%, respectively while the standard deviation were 107.4% and 33%, respectively. Moderate correlation were found between sVCAM-1 as well as vWF level with both systolic and diastolic pressure. Fibrin monomer was found in 28 out of 30 subjects of preeclampsia group, but only 1 out of 31 subjects in the control group. The results of this study indicated that endothelial dysfunction occurred in preeclampsia.