Serum levels of the adipokine lipocalin-2 are increased in preeclampsia.
BACKGROUND
Preeclampsia (PE) is a serious complication in pregnancy which increases the future risk for vascular and metabolic disease in both mother and newborn. Recently, lipocalin-2 has been introduced as a novel adipokine which contributes to obesity, insulin resistance, and vascular disease.


OBJECTIVE
In the current study, we investigated lipocalin-2 serum levels in PE patients as compared to healthy gestational age-matched controls.


METHODS
Lipocalin-2 serum concentrations were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in control (no.=22) and PE (no.=22) patients. Furthermore, lipocalin-2 levels were correlated to clinical and biochemical measures of renal function, glucose, and lipid metabolism, as well as inflammation.


RESULTS
Median maternal lipocalin-2 concentrations were significantly increased in PE (121.3 μg/l) as compared to control subjects (99.8 μg/l) (p<0.05). Furthermore, circulating lipocalin 2 correlated positively with diastolic blood pressure, creatinine, and C reactive protein. In multivariate analyses, creatinine and C reactive protein remained independently associated with lipocalin-2 levels.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrate that maternal lipocalin-2 concentrations are significantly increased in PE. Furthermore, markers of renal function and inflammation independently predict circulating lipocalin-2.
Stepan
H
H
Department of Obstetrics, University of Leipzig, Liebigstrasse 20, Leipzig, Germany.
Philipp
A
A
Reiche
M
M
Klostermann
K
K
Schrey
S
S
Reisenbüchler
C
C
Lossner
U
U
Kratzsch
J
J
Bluher
M
M
Stumvoll
M
M
Fasshauer
M
M
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D054392:Adipokines / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D055815:Young Adult
D000209:Acute-Phase Proteins; D054392:Adipokines; C489506:LCN2 protein, human; D000071068:Lipocalin-2; D054834:Lipocalins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins