Skin autofluorescence, a marker of advanced glycation end products and oxidative stress, is increased in recently preeclamptic women.
OBJECTIVE
Advanced glycation end-products are considered to be markers of oxidative stress and to be involved in the atherosclerotic process. We investigated skin autofluorescence, which reflected advanced glycation end-product accumulation, in recently preeclamptic women and its relationship with intima-media thickness, which is a marker of atherosclerosis.


METHODS
Skin autofluorescence of the arm and leg was measured in 26 preeclamptic women and 17 control subjects at 3 to 13 months after delivery. Lipid profiles, smoking habits, and intima-media thickness of 5 carotid and femoral artery segments were recorded.


RESULTS
The preeclampsia group was younger and had higher values for blood pressure, insulin resistance, common femoral artery intima-media thickness, and skin autofluorescence of the leg. With the use of linear regression analysis, the difference in leg autofluorescence was explained only by preeclampsia. In the preeclampsia group, skin autofluorescence of the leg correlated with smoking and common femoral artery intima-media thickness.


CONCLUSIONS
These results support the hypothesis of accelerated atherosclerosis in recently preeclamptic women and the possible involvement of advanced glycation end-product accumulation.
Blaauw
Judith
J
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. j.blaauw@obs.umcg.nl
Smit
Andries J
AJ
van Pampus
Maria G
MG
van Doormaal
Jasper J
JJ
Aarnoudse
Jan G
JG
Rakhorst
Gerhard
G
Graaff
Reindert
R
D050197:Atherosclerosis / Q000378:metabolism*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007333:Insulin Resistance; D008423:Maternal Age; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012867:Skin / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D017539:Tunica Intima / Q000473:pathology; D017540:Tunica Media / Q000473:pathology
D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced