title: Detection of feto-maternal infection/inflammation by the soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE): results of a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The receptor for advanced glycation end products, RAGE, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of several diseases. sRAGE, soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products, is an inhibitor of the pathological effect mediated via RAGE. The aim of this study was to assess the usefulness of measuring sRAGE concentration in pregnant women with threatening preterm labor.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum levels of sRAGE, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and routine markers of inflammation were determined in 46 pregnant women with threatening preterm labor, 35 healthy pregnant women and 15 non-pregnant controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum levels of sRAGE in healthy pregnant women were significantly lower than in non-pregnant controls (669+/-296 vs. 1929+/-727 pg/mL, P<0.05). Women with threatening preterm birth had a significantly higher concentration of serum sRAGE in comparison with healthy pregnant women (819+/-329 pg/mL vs. 669+/-296 pg/mL, P<0.05). Conversely, patients with PPROM had significantly lower levels of sRAGE compared with patients with threatening premature labor (600+/-324 pg/mL, P<0.05). sRAGE correlated negatively with leukocyte counts (r=-0.325, P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  sRAGE might be a new and promising marker of premature labor, especially with the symptoms of PPROM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1st Faculty of Medicine, Charles University and General University Hospital, Prague, Czech Republic. hajekz@vfn.cz
authors.forename: Zdenek
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hájek
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Germanová
authors.forename: Michal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Koucký
authors.forename: Tomás
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zima
authors.forename: Pavel
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kopecký
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vítkova
authors.forename: Antonín
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parízek
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalousová
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005322:Premature Rupture of Fetal Membranes / Q000097:blood; D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced / Q000097:blood*; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation / Q000097:blood; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature / Q000097:blood*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000097:blood; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D017127:Glycation End Products, Advanced; D015850:Interleukin-6; D000067759:Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic