[Study on the relationship between activin A, follistatin and preeclampsia].
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship of maternal serum activin A, follistatin and their mRNA expression in placenta with preeclampsia at term.


METHODS
Twenty women with preeclampsia were enrolled in this study. Twenty healthy pregnancies matched for gestational ages were recruited as control group. Maternal serum activin A and follistatin in two groups were compared by using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Placental tissues were obtained from preeclampsia and healthy control groups for analysis of activin A mRNA and follistatin mRNA expression by using quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Linear correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between placental avtivin A mRNA and maternal serum activin A concentrations.


RESULTS
(1) Maternal serum concentrations of activin A are significantly increased in preeclampsia group (33.7 +/- 6.6) micro g/L compared with control group (9.9 +/- 2.1) micro g/L (P < 0.01). Maternal serum follistatin levels were not different between preeclampsia group (5.1 +/- 0.6) micro g/L and control group (4.7 +/- 0.3) micro g/L (P > 0.05). (2) The placentas of preeclampsia group expressed activin A mRNA levels at significantly higher levels 1.11 +/- 0.21 than that of control group 0.61 +/- 0.17 (P < 0.01). The expression of follistatin mRNA were not different between preeclampsia group 0.57 +/- 0.31 and control group 0.54 +/- 0.27 (P > 0.05). (3) In preeclampsia and control groups, maternal serum activin A concentrations had a significant positive correlation with activin A mRNA expression in placentas (r = 0.89, P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that activin A is increased in women with preeclampsia, the elevated levels of activin A due to increased placental production.
Zhao
Liang
L
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Second College of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
Shang
Tao
T
Wang
Yan-ling
YL
Tang
Shuang
S
Li
Hui
H
Liu
Zhong-hui
ZH
D028341:Activins / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D038681:Follistatin / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D028322:Inhibin-beta Subunits / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis
D038681:Follistatin; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C422405:activin A; D028341:Activins; D028322:Inhibin-beta Subunits