Cord blood galectin-1 and -3 concentrations in term pregnancies with normal restricted and increased fetal growth.
OBJECTIVE
To determine levels of galectins (gal)-1 and -3 (implicated in angiogenesis/immunologic mechanisms) in intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR), large (LGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA) pregnancies, as these groups differ in fat mass, angiogenic patterns and immune responses.


METHODS
Cord-blood (UC) gal-1 and -3 concentrations were measured in 30 IUGR, 30 LGA and 20 AGA singleton full-term infants and their mothers (MS).


RESULTS
IUGR, LGA and AGA groups did not differ in gal-1 and -3 concentrations. UC gal-1 levels were lower when mothers were older [b=-0.651, CI 95% -1.186 (-0.116), P=0.018] and UC gal-3 levels were increased when mothers presented gestational diabetes [b=9.836, CI 95% 3.833- (15.839), P=0.002]. In IUGRs MS gal-3 and in LGAs UC gal-1 were decreased in multiparas [b=-5.372, CI 95% -9.584- (-1.161), P=0.014], and [b=-7.540, CI 95% -14.606- (-0.473), P=0.037], respectively. No correlations were found between MS or UC gal-1 and gal-3 concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
Lower UC gal-1 levels, when mothers were older, and increased UC gal-3 levels in cases of gestational diabetes, possibly reflect angiogenic activity. In multiparas, decreased MS gal-3 and UC gal-1 levels in IUGR/LGA, respectively, might imply inflammatory response against immunosuppression expected in subsequent pregnancies, as compared to the first one.
Theodora
T
Boutsikou
Maria
M
Giotaki
Maria
M
Boutsikou
Despina D
DD
Briana
Stavroula
S
Baka
Despoina
D
Piatopoulou
Demetrios
D
Hassiakos
Demetrios
D
Gourgiotis
Ariadne
A
Malamitsi-Puchner
D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D001798:Blood Proteins; D005260:Female; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000097:blood*; D037483:Galectin 1 / Q000097:blood*; D037502:Galectin 3 / Q000097:blood*; D037161:Galectins; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies
D015415:Biomarkers; D001798:Blood Proteins; D037483:Galectin 1; D037502:Galectin 3; D037161:Galectins; C445499:LGALS1 protein, human; C428445:LGALS3 protein, human