Changes in maternal plasma levels of VEGF, bFGF, TGF-beta1, ET-1 and sKL during uncomplicated pregnancy, hypertensive pregnancy and gestational diabetes.
BACKGROUND
Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), endothelin-1 (ET-1) and soluble c-kit ligand (sKL) are cytokines involved in embryogenesis.


METHODS
Maternal plasma cytokines were measured with ELISA during the three trimesters of gestation and on the day of delivery in 93 pregnant women and 18 age-matched non-pregnant control women.


RESULTS
The VEGF and bFGF levels increased during the first trimester and declined thereafter, but they remained above the controls' values until delivery. The TGF-beta1 levels increased during the first trimester and remained unchanged thereafter. On the contrary, the ET-1 levels decreased and remained low until delivery. VEGF, bFGF, TGF-beta1 and ET-1 were increased in hypertensive pregnancy. Except for ET-1, these cytokines were also increased in gestational diabetes. No changes in plasma sKL were documented.


CONCLUSIONS
All the aforementioned cytokines play a role in uncomplicated pregnancy, whereas hypertensive pregnancy is causatively-related with increased ET-1.
Lygnos
M C
MC
Department of Hematology of the University of Crete School of Medicine, University Hospital of Heraklion, Greece. gel1@otenet.gr
Pappa
K I
KI
Papadaki
H A
HA
Relakis
C
C
Koumantakis
E
E
Anagnou
N P
NP
Eliopoulos
G D
GD
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000097:blood*; D019332:Endothelin-1 / Q000097:blood*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000097:blood; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D011247:Pregnancy; D011249:Pregnancy Complications, Cardiovascular / Q000097:blood*; D019089:Stem Cell Factor / Q000097:blood*; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000097:blood; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000097:blood
D019332:Endothelin-1; D006133:Growth Substances; D019089:Stem Cell Factor; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2