title: Low levels of circulating alpha-1 antitrypsin are associated with spontaneous abortions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), a circulating anti-inflammatory molecule, rises four- to sixfold during acute phase responses and during pregnancy. AAT deficiency is linked with various pregnancy complications. The aim of this study is to determine plasma concentrations and activity of AAT and serum cytokine levels in blood samples from women undergoing spontaneous abortions as compared with elective abortions.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective case-control study consisted of patients with sporadic abortions (n = 15), recurrent spontaneous abortions (n = 14) and healthy pregnancies going through elective terminations (n = 11). Circulating AAT and cytokine levels were determined before dilatation and curettage.
  
  
  RESULTS
  AAT levels were lower in both recurrent and sporadic spontaneous abortion groups compared with healthy pregnancies (1.421 ± 0.08, 1.569 ± 0.14 and 3.224 ± 0.45 mg/ml, respectively, p < 0.001). Reduced AAT levels correlated with elevated proinflammatory cytokines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  AAT levels in patients with either sporadic or recurrent spontaneous abortions were lower than normal pregnancies, and were associated with an inflammatory profile. Future studies should examine larger cohort groups, effects of earlier time-points and the influence of antithrombotic therapy in such patients who are diagnosed with relatively low levels of circulating AAT, in an effort to improve pregnancy outcomes.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and.
authors: Tamar
authors: T
authors: Madar
authors: Galit
authors: G
authors: Shahaf
authors: Eyal
authors: E
authors: Sheiner
authors: Jared
authors: J
authors: Brazg
authors: Justin
authors: J
authors: Levinson
authors: Shimrit
authors: S
authors: Yaniv Salem
authors: Guy
authors: G
authors: Twina
authors: Joel
authors: J
authors: Baron
authors: Moshe
authors: M
authors: Mazor
authors: Gershon
authors: G
authors: Holcberg
authors: Eli C
authors: EC
authors: Lewis
mesh_terms: D000028:Abortion, Induced / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000022:Abortion, Spontaneous / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D016207:Cytokines / Q000097:blood; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018836:Inflammation Mediators / Q000097:blood; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome / Q000453:epidemiology; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors / Q000097:blood; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin / Q000097:blood*; D019896:alpha 1-Antitrypsin Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018836:Inflammation Mediators; D015842:Serine Proteinase Inhibitors; D000515:alpha 1-Antitrypsin