Investigation of angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors in preeclamptic cases

Preeclampsia is a disorder characterized by hypertension and proteinuria after 20th week of pregnancy. It is he most important cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The pathophysiology of preeclampsia has not completely understood but it has been proceed with deterioration in the balance of placental angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors. Therefore, importance of angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors has recently increased in the etiology of preeclampsia. In our study it has aimed to determine the level of some important angiogenic and antiangiogenic factors and to define the roles over the course of the disease. The research was conducted on patients who have 24-42 weeks of pregnancy and undergoing treatment at clinics of Gaziantep Cengiz Gökçek Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital. In the scope of this thesis PlGF (Placental Growth Factor), VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor), sFlt-1 (Soluble Fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase-1) and sEndoglin levels were measured with ELISA method and also, haemogram, urinalysis, biochemical parameters such as glucose, BUN, urea, creatinine, ALT, AST, potassium were assessed in the serum samples of 41 preeclamptic and 32 healthy pregnant women who were convenient with maternal age. By the comparison between the patient and the control groups, sFlt-1 and sEndoglin levels were statistically significantly higher in the patient group than control group (p <0.05). PlGF levels were statistically significantly lower in patients than control group (p <0.05). Although VEGF levels were measured lower in patients than control group but was not identified a statistically significant relationship between them. As a result, levels of antiangiogenic factors such as sFlt-1 and sEndoglin were increased and an angiogenic factor PlGF levels were decreased in preeclampsia according to our study. In this way, combination of sFlt-1, sEndoglin and PlGF tests would be used for diagnosis and following up of preeclampsia.