Transferrin microheterogeneity in pregnancies with preeclampsia.
BACKGROUND
It has been reported that concentrations of serum transferrin (Tf) and its highly sialylated subfraction increase in normal pregnancy. This study investigated changes in the concentrations of serum transferrin and its subfractions in preeclampsia.


METHODS
The serum concentration of transferrin was determined by a standard turbidimetric assay and microheterogeneous transferrin subgroups (low sialylated, 4-sialo and highly sialylated transferrins) were assessed by crossed immuno-isoelectric focusing.


RESULTS
Compared to normal pregnancy, the concentrations of total, 4-sialo and highly sialylated transferrins decreased by 27%, 16% and 38%, respectively, in severe preeclampsia, while these values did not significantly decrease in mild preeclampsia. The concentration of low sialylated transferrin involving 2-sialo- and 3-sialo-transferrins significantly decreased both in mild and severe preeclampsia, the value in severe preeclampsia was even significantly lower than that in nonpregnant women. The serum concentrations of total and highly sialylated transferrins in preeclampsia were correlated positively with infant birth weights (r=0.587 and r=0.645, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
The serum concentrations of total and highly sialylated transferrins in severe preeclampsia decrease significantly. This might have a negative impact on intrauterine growth. Additionally, the serum low sialylated transferrin decreases more sensitively in preeclampsia, although the concentration is low even in normal pregnancy.
Wu
YangHong
Y
Department of Inflammation Pathology, Kagawa Medical University, 1750-1, Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Kagawa 761-0793, Japan.
Sakamoto
Haruhiko
H
Kanenishi
Kenji
K
Li
Juan
J
Khatun
Rafiza
R
Hata
Toshiyuki
T
D001724:Birth Weight; D001794:Blood Pressure; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000209:etiology; D020073:Gravidity; D006801:Humans; D007123:Immunoelectrophoresis, Two-Dimensional; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism; D007525:Isoelectric Focusing / Q000379:methods; D008423:Maternal Age; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D012794:Sialic Acids / Q000737:chemistry; D014168:Transferrin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
D012794:Sialic Acids; D014168:Transferrin; D007501:Iron