Changes in the maternal serum concentration of proearly placenta insulin-like growth factor peptides in normal vs abnormal pregnancy.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of the study was to evaluate maternal serum pro-early placenta insulin like (proEPIL) levels during normal and pathologic pregnancy by using a newly developed enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, based on a monoclonal antibody designated EPIL15 and directed to the pro-EPIL C-chain 98-108 region.


METHODS
In a group of healthy pregnant women (n = 22), proEPIL peptide serum levels were measured longitudinally throughout gestation (8-12, 20-24, and 30-34 weeks). Serum proEPIL levels were measured in women with preterm labor (n = 24), intrauterine growth restriction (n = 27), and preeclampsia (n = 12).


RESULTS
In healthy pregnant women, a significant rise of serum pro-EPIL levels (mean +/- SEM) was observed during the third trimester of gestation (30.97 +/- 2.978 ng/mL; P < .01), with the highest serum levels at 30-34 weeks' gestation (P < .001). Serum proEPIL levels were found elevated in women with intrauterine growth restriction (107.4 +/- 12.99 ng/mL), preeclampsia (104.8 +/- 36.20 ng/mL), or preterm labor (183.8 +/- 36.42 ng/mL) in comparison with levels observed in healthy pregnant women (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
These results showed that proEPIL secretion increases in the last trimester during normal pregnancy and is highly secreted in women with pathologic conditions.
Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics, and Reproductive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Luca
L
Bruni
Stefano
S
Luisi
Caterina
C
Ferretti
Jean-Louis
JL
Janneau
Mariachiara
M
Quadrifoglio
Sophie
S
Richon
Virginie
V
Dangles-Marie
Dominique
D
Bellet
Felice
F
Petraglia
D000328:Adult; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000097:blood*; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood*; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000097:blood*; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third / Q000097:blood
C101126:INSL4 protein, human; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins