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.
Bruni
Luca
L
Division of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Pediatrics, Obstetrics, and Reproductive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Siena, Siena, Italy.
Luisi
Stefano
S
Ferretti
Caterina
C
Janneau
Jean-Louis
JL
Quadrifoglio
Mariachiara
M
Richon
Sophie
S
Dangles-Marie
Virginie
V
Bellet
Dominique
D
Petraglia
Felice
F
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