title: Lower circulation levels and activity of α-1 antitrypsin in pregnant women with severe preeclampsia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  α-1 antitrypsin (AAT) is an anti-protease, anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective molecule. Normal circulating levels are <3.5 mg/dl and rise during pregnancy. Although AAT deficiency is associated with several pregnancy and placental disorders, little is known regarding AAT levels and preeclampsia. Since unopposed inflammation might contribute to preeclampsia, we studied whether preeclampsia is associated with lower than normal levels and activity of AAT.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a prospective case-control study, we compared maternal serum AAT activity and levels between patients with severe preeclampsia (n = 23) and without preeclampsia (n = 18).
  
  
  RESULTS
  AAT levels were 1.91 ± 0.08-fold lower in the preeclampsia group compared to healthy group (3.854 ± 0.26 vs. 7.397 ± 0.34 mg/ml; p < 0.001), and correlated with protease inhibitory capacity (46.56 ± 2.08% vs. 67.08 ± 1.74%; p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our findings show association between lower AAT levels and severe preeclampsia during pregnancy. Further studies are required to identify the mechanism behind the association, and the possibility of safe AAT augmentation for individuals with insufficient circulating AAT.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Soroka University Medical Center, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. guytw@bgu.ac.il
authors: Guy
authors: G
authors: Twina
authors: Eyal
authors: E
authors: Sheiner
authors: Galit
authors: G
authors: Shahaf
authors: Shimrit
authors: S
authors: Yaniv Salem
authors: Tamar
authors: T
authors: Madar
authors: Joel
authors: J
authors: Baron
authors: Arnon
authors: A
authors: Wiznitzer
authors: Moshe
authors: M
authors: Mazor
authors: Gershon
authors: G
authors: Holcberg
authors: Eli C
authors: EC
authors: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002585:Cesarean Section / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015536:Down-Regulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D055815:Young Adult; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D019896:alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin