title: Activity of Proteolytic Enzymes and Level of Cystatin C in the Peripartum Period.
abstract: Objectives. The aim of the study was to evaluate the activity of cathepsin B, collagenases, trypsin, and plasmin and concentration of cystatin C in serum of healthy pregnant women in peripartum period. Study Design. The study group included 45 women in uncomplicated pregnancies. Blood samples were collected in four time points. Enzyme activity was measured by spectrofluorometric method. The level of cystatin C was measured using immunonephelometric method. Results. Mean activity of cathepsin B and the level of serum cystatin C were significantly higher in the study group. Collagenase activity was significantly lower in the study group than the control group. No differences in collagenase, plasmin, and trypsin activity on each day of the peripartum period were found. Conclusion. High activity of cathepsin B and increased level of cystatin C are typical for women in late pregnancy. Those levels significantly decrease after delivery which can be associated with potential role of those markers in placental separation. The insignificant changes of cystatin C level in the peripartum period seem to exclude the possibility of using cystatin C as a marker for renal insufficiency in the peripartum period but additional research is necessary to investigate the matter further.
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Warsaw, Starynkiewicza 1/3, 02-015 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cyganek
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Transplantology and Internal Diseases, Transplantation Institute, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wyczalkowska-Tomasik
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Warsaw, Starynkiewicza 1/3, 02-015 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Patrycja
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jarmuzek
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Warsaw, Starynkiewicza 1/3, 02-015 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Grzechocinska
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Warsaw, Starynkiewicza 1/3, 02-015 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Zoulikha
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jabiry-Zieniewicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Transplantology and Internal Diseases, Transplantation Institute, Medical University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Leszek
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Paczek
authors.affiliation: 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Warsaw, Starynkiewicza 1/3, 02-015 Warsaw, Poland.
authors.forename: Miroslaw
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wielgos
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002401:Cathepsin B / Q000097:blood*; D055316:Cystatin C / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D058725:Peripartum Period / Q000097:blood; D010920:Placenta / Q000378:metabolism; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000097:blood / Q000473:pathology; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D055316:Cystatin C; D002401:Cathepsin B