title: Increased Levels of sENG and sVCAM-1 and Decreased Levels of VEGF in Severe Preeclampsia.
abstract: Preeclampsia (PE) is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria after the 20th week in pregnant women who have had no previous symptoms. Clinically, it is important to diagnose the severe form of the disease, in which blood pressure is much higher. Imbalance between angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors, as well as changes in adhesion molecules seem to contribute to the endothelial dysfunction and PE clinical manifestations. The aim of this study was to assess plasma levels of the angiogenic factors (free vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and soluble endoglin (sEng)) and adhesion molecules (soluble forms of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) and soluble forms of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1)) in severe PE (sPE), in order to clarify the circulating profile of these factors.
  
  
  
  Sixty women with sPE (34 with early sPE and 26 with late sPE), and 60 normotensive pregnant were enrolled in this study. Free VEGF, sICAM-1, sVCAM-1, and sEng plasma levels were determined by ELISA.
  
  
  
  Increased sEng and sVCAM-1 and decreased free VEGF plasma levels were found in women with sPE, compared with normotensive pregnant group. However, no significant difference was observed comparing early and late sPE.
  
  
  
  Our data confirm the imbalance in changes in angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors, as well changes in adhesion molecule (sVCAM-1) in PE. These findings give support to the hypothesis that circulating angiogenic proteins and endothelial dysfunction may have an important biologic role in PE. Data from prospective, longitudinal studies producing serial determinations of these molecules throughout pregnancy are needed to better understanding the relevance of these markers in PE diagnosis and prognosis.
authors.affiliation: Campus Centro Oeste Dona Lindu, Federal University of São João del-Rei, São João del-Rei, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Danyelle Romana Alves
authors.initials: DRA
authors.lastname: Rios
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Patricia Nessrala
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Alpoim
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lara Carvalho
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Godoi
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luiza Oliveira
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Perucci
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lirlândia Pires
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: de Sousa
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Karina Braga
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Gomes
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical and Toxicological Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luci Maria SantAna
authors.initials: LMS
authors.lastname: Dusse
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D000071063:Endoglin / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D011225:Pre-Eclampsia / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: C064206:ENG protein, human; D000071063:Endoglin; D019010:Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1